AI to Speed Up Food Poisoning Response...Government-Wide Prevention Measures Launched

Early AI-Based Estimation of Causative Pathogens and Foods
Expanded Testing for Salmonella in Eggs and Norovirus in Kimchi
Strengthened End-to-End Management from Festivals to Group Catering Facilities

To prevent food poisoning incidents, the government will introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system to estimate the causes of outbreaks and strengthen management across the entire production and distribution process. As risk factors for food poisoning diversify due to climate change and shifting dietary trends, the plan is to establish a data-driven, prevention-focused management system.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety held the "2026 Interministerial High-Level Meeting on Food Poisoning Countermeasures" at Cheongju Osco in Cheongju, Chungbuk, on the 24th to discuss food poisoning prevention measures. To minimize the occurrence and spread of food poisoning, the government decided to focus on: establishing an AI- and science-based food poisoning safety management system; strengthening control at every stage from production to consumption; and expanding tailored education and public awareness campaigns that reflect the latest trends.

Kim Yongjae, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, is speaking on the 24th at Cheongju Osco in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, at the "2026 Pan-Governmental Food Poisoning Countermeasures Council Senior-Level Meeting." Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

First, an AI-based food poisoning cause estimation system will be introduced. AI will learn and analyze the food poisoning cause analysis data accumulated so far to rapidly estimate the causative pathogens and foods in the early stages of an outbreak. AI technology will also be integrated into the existing food poisoning prediction map service to provide real-time information on regional food poisoning trends and related news.

Monitoring for Salmonella contamination in eggs will be strengthened at the production, distribution, and consumption stages. Testing will be expanded for egg farms associated with Salmonella food poisoning to reinforce control at the production stage, while collection and testing will also be carried out for egg suppliers, restaurants, and other handling businesses.

To prevent norovirus food poisoning, testing will be expanded beyond groundwater used in group catering facilities to include Baechu Kimchi, and environmental inspections at facilities for infants and young children, such as daycare centers, will be reinforced to more than double the current level.

To prevent large-scale food poisoning outbreaks, local governments will be required to establish and implement advance safety management plans when holding events that attract large crowds, such as local festivals, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will deploy and operate rapid food poisoning testing vehicles.

In line with the recent running boom, the government plans to hold an experiential event, the "2026 Food Safety Marathon," to spread messages about food poisoning prevention. In cooperation with relevant associations, food poisoning prevention education for children and parents will be strengthened, and customized training for suppliers of ingredients to group catering facilities will also be expanded.

Kim Yongjae, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, said, "As climate and dietary trends have been changing rapidly in recent years, we need to reinforce a prevention-centered management system based on data and science," adding, "All institutions participating in the council should work together closely so that food poisoning risk factors can be thoroughly managed across the entire process from production to consumption."