"APEC Summit" Achieves Zero Food Poisoning Through Thorough Food and Beverage Safety Management

Ministry Operates 24-Hour Emergency System to Prevent Food Poisoning

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on November 4 that the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, concluded successfully without a single case of food poisoning, thanks to thorough safety management of food and beverages provided to the leaders, delegations, and business representatives from member countries during the event.

President Lee Jae-myung is toasting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the gala dinner of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held at Lahan Select Hotel in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, on the 31st of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

Prior to the event, the Ministry collaborated with related agencies such as the Presidential Security Service and Gyeongsangbuk-do to conduct pre-inspections of food and beverage handling facilities, ingredient inspections and menu reviews, hygiene management of kitchens, and staff training. During the summit, a 24-hour emergency response system was operated to prevent food poisoning, including rapid tests for foodborne pathogens in the food and beverages served.

On-site inspections were carried out more than 2,200 times at venues, hotels, and nearby restaurants, and a total of 821 rapid tests for foodborne pathogens were conducted. Seven mobile rapid testing vehicles were deployed to test 17 types of foodborne bacteria in ingredients and prepared foods. As a result, Vibrio and Staphylococcus aureus were detected in six cases, and all affected items were discarded before serving.

Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, visited major food and beverage facilities in Gyeongju such as Lahan Select and Hilton Hotel, together with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, to pre-inspect food and beverage safety management. She also reviewed the rapid foodborne pathogen testing system on cruise ships used as floating hotels for international businesspeople at domestic ports.

Commissioner Oh stated, "By conducting pre-inspections and operating a rapid response system throughout the entire process of preparing for the APEC event, we were able to successfully complete not only three Senior Officials’ Meetings but also the Summit itself without a single case of food poisoning." She added, "I would like to thank all related agencies and staff for their efforts to ensure food and beverage safety during the summit."