In a significant revelation regarding the state of food hygiene within franchise restaurants in South Korea, recent data indicates that over 3,000 violations of food safety laws have been reported in the past five years. This alarming statistic was brought to light by Seo Mi-hwa, a member of the National Assembly representing the Democratic Party. The data, sourced from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, covers violations across nine major food service sectors, including chicken and cafes, from 2020 to the previous year. Of the total 3,133 violations recorded, a staggering 70% were attributed to the top 20 franchise establishments, underscoring a critical need for improved oversight and adherence to hygiene standards.
The leading offender, BBQ, accounted for 201 violations, followed closely by other prominent brands such as BHC with 186, Mom’s Touch with 172, and Mega Coffee with 158. The breakdown of violations by food category reveals chicken outlets leading with 1,139 cases, comprising approximately 36.4% of all infractions. Cafes and hamburger chains also featured prominently in the statistics, with 617 and 471 violations, respectively.
Delving into the specifics of these infractions, the most common type of violation involved breaches of standards and regulations, particularly concerning foreign substances found in food, which accounted for 1,158 cases or 37% of the total. Other notable violations included failure to complete hygiene training (968 cases), non-compliance with hygiene handling standards (336 cases), and neglecting health checks (216 cases). Alarmingly, only one instance of business closure was reported, while the majority of penalties were relatively light, including 1,451 fines and 1,321 corrective orders, making up 88.5% of all administrative actions taken.
The data reveals a troubling trend, with annual violations showing a consistent increase over the years. In 2020, 491 violations were recorded, escalating to 501 in 2021, 662 in 2022, 759 in 2023, and peaking at 720 last year. This represents a 46.6% increase in violations over the five-year period, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of existing monitoring systems and the commitment of franchise headquarters to maintain food safety standards.
In light of these findings, Seo Mi-hwa emphasizes the imperative of ensuring food safety is non-negotiable. She urges not only the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and local governments but also the franchise headquarters to take a proactive role in guiding their affiliates on proper hygiene practices. This call to action is crucial as consumers increasingly seek assurance regarding the safety and quality of the food they consume.
As these violations continue to unfold, the onus lies on both regulatory bodies and franchise companies to address these issues head-on. There is a pressing need for a collaborative effort to enhance food safety protocols and ensure that all establishments adhere to the highest hygiene standards. Without significant changes in practices and a commitment to consumer safety, the integrity of the food service industry may remain at risk, compromising public health and trust in these widely popular dining options.
[관련기사] https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0015604360?sid=103
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