Gwanak-gu launches food poisoning prevention consulting for local restaurants

Gwanak-gu in Seoul announced Wednesday it will conduct food poisoning prevention consulting at local restaurants considered at high risk during the summer months.

The program targets 28 restaurants in the district that handle items prone to summer contamination, including kimbap, naengmyeon, raw fish and beef tartare. The district plans to inspect hygiene conditions across the entire food-handling process — from ingredient intake and storage through cooking and serving — and assess contamination risks through July 24. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Seoul recorded 1,468 food poisoning cases last year, with July accounting for the highest monthly total at 421.

Establishments that receive an unsatisfactory rating in the first round will be given one month to make improvements before undergoing a mandatory second round of tailored consulting, the district said, adding the two-stage approach is designed to improve the program's effectiveness.

"Through this drill and consulting program, we will build a tighter management framework not only for group cafeterias but also for general restaurants and other hygiene-vulnerable facilities," Gwanak-gu District Chief Park Jun-hee said. "We will do our utmost to protect residents' health and safety by preventing food poisoning through thorough hygiene inspections and ongoing education and outreach, and by responding swiftly when incidents occur."