Government data showed Friday that 223 establishments that received the government's seal of approval for sanitation last year violated the Food Sanitation Act.
Violations have been on an upward trend, rising from 133 and 166 in 2021 and 2022, respectively, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety data released by Rep. Nam I-soon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. The annual figure dipped to 58 in 2023, but rose again to 138 in 2024.
The government awards the Food Hygiene Safety Certificate to food-service businesses ranging from restaurants and bakeries to catering services and even convenience stores. Designated businesses can notify their users by attaching the certification mark and five gold stars.
But the ministry's data showed that violations rarely lead to the revocation of state certification. Only eight businesses had their certification canceled last year, accounting for 3.6 percent of all cases, and none in 2023.
Cancellation happens when a business refuses a correction order two or more times, or when the violation leads to suspension of operation or more severe administrative punishment.
"Sanitation rating is a system to improve hygiene level (at food-related businesses) and allow consumers to choose, yet most violators of the Food Sanitation Act get to keep their rating. This may lead to consumers losing trust in the system," Nam said.
She urged revising the rating system to more accurately evaluate food businesses that break food sanitation laws, allowing officials to adjust ratings depending on their new assessment.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com