Seongnam City Inspects 498 Children's Food Establishments Ahead of New School Term

[News S=Cheon Ui-hyeon] Seongnam City in Gyeonggi Province will conduct inspections of 498 food preparation and sales establishments specializing in children's preferred foods around schools and private academies from the 25th of this month through next month 2nd.

The measure aims to strengthen food safety management at establishments handling children's food items ahead of the second semester opening.

The city has formed 8 inspection teams composed of 17 members—14 dedicated management specialists and 3 civil servants—through a public-private partnership. The inspection targets include 101 children's food safety protection zones encompassing general restaurants, cafes, bakeries, convenience stores, stationery shops, supermarkets, school stores, and unmanned food vending machines.

The inspection teams will examine the expiration dates, display and storage conditions of ice cream, snacks, bread and other items, and verify hygiene management practices. Unmanned food vending machines, which are vulnerable to hygiene issues, will receive intensive inspection. The teams will also verify the sale of high-calorie, low-nutrition foods and high-caffeine products. When violations are found, corrective measures will be taken on-site, administrative penalties imposed, and re-inspections scheduled according to the severity of the violations.