Gyeonggi Province Launches 'Food Poisoning Prevention' Campaign on 8,000 G-Buses Throughout July

Gyeonggi Province will conduct a food poisoning prevention campaign throughout the month of July.

On July 11, Gyeonggi Province announced that it will inspect and collect samples from food establishments in multi-use facilities, as well as 67 food manufacturing businesses classified as hygiene-vulnerable facilities. These include businesses that supply large quantities of prepared food to industrial sites and others, and businesses with a history of violating the Food Sanitation Act. In addition, throughout July, Gyeonggi Province will promote Salmonella prevention guidelines through 8,000 G-buses.

An analysis of food poisoning cases in the province over the past five years showed that, during the summer months (June to August), 37.1% (82 cases) of all food poisoning incidents and 51.3% (3,454 people) of all patients occurred during this period.

Food Poisoning Prevention Poster of Gyeonggi Province

In particular, July saw an average of 7.4 cases and 346.6 patients, indicating that the number of patients per case is higher and the scale of food poisoning outbreaks is larger compared to other seasons. Recently, there have been ongoing cases of Salmonella detected in bread products and pathogenic E. coli food poisoning caused by consuming Yukhoe Bibimbap.

Pathogenic E. coli can cause infection even in small amounts and has a high risk of cross-contamination, making thorough preventive measures essential in group catering facilities where many people consume the same food.

Yoo Youngcheol, Director of Health and Wellness at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "As the temperature rises, the risk of bacterial food poisoning (such as Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli) increases, so individuals must maintain strict personal hygiene, and business operators and group catering managers must fully comply with food poisoning prevention guidelines." He added, "If a suspected food poisoning case occurs, it should be reported immediately to the local city or county hygiene department so that prompt action can be taken to prevent further spread."