58 Delivery Restaurants Caught for Poor Hygiene in South Korea

South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has cracked down on unsanitary delivery restaurants, uncovering 58 establishments that violated food hygiene laws. The inspections, conducted between May 13 and May 17, targeted 4,915 food service businesses, with a particular focus on those offering delivery and using eggs as a primary ingredient. This initiative comes as demand for delivery foods like samgyetang, naengmyeon, and chicken surges during the hot summer months.

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We will continue to conduct regular inspections of delivery foods and restaurants that are widely consumed by the public, in cooperation with local governments, to create a safe food environment.

The crackdown revealed a range of offenses. Among the 2,510 establishments preparing samgyetang, naengmyeon, and chicken, 18 were cited for violations. These included poor kitchen sanitation, failure to wear hygiene masks and caps, lack of health checkups for employees, and selling expired products. Additionally, one business was flagged for improper waste disposal.

In a separate category, 40 out of 2,405 establishments using eggs as a main ingredient for dishes like kimbap and toast were found to be non-compliant. The most common violations here were the absence of employee health checkups, inadequate waste disposal, poor kitchen hygiene, and not wearing proper protective gear. One establishment was also cited for selling expired goods.

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The relevant local government will take administrative action against the restaurant after detecting Staphylococcus aureus exceeding the standard in one sample of kimbap.

Beyond the on-site inspections, the MFDS collected 160 food samples for testing. One sample of kimbap tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus exceeding the permissible limits, prompting administrative action against the responsible establishment. The ministry emphasized its commitment to ongoing quarterly inspections of popular delivery foods, in collaboration with local governments, to ensure food safety and a secure eating environment for the public.

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The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to check whether the identified businesses have improved within six months after the local government takes administrative action.