As schools in Busan resumed meals for the second semester, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education began on-site inspections to prevent food poisoning and other hygiene-related incidents.
In addition to school visits by education officials, joint inspections are being conducted with the Busan Food and Drug Administration and local government agencies, examining both meal facilities and food suppliers.
On the morning of September 3, Busan Education Superintendent Kim Seok-jun visited the cafeteria at Yeogochon Elementary School in Dongnae District to assess the management of ingredients and the cooking and serving processes. This visit was part of a special monitoring initiative for school meals at the start of the academic year. After reviewing the hygiene conditions of the cooking and serving processes, Superintendent Kim listened to feedback from meal service staff and participated in serving and tasting the meals.
The education office plans to continue visits to school meal facilities by senior officials, including the deputy superintendent, throughout the month. These visits will focus on inspecting ingredient verification, cooking and serving processes, and the overall hygiene management of the cafeterias. In addition to these special monitoring efforts, joint inspections of meal facilities and food supply stages are ongoing with relevant agencies.
Since August 24, the Busan Education Office has been conducting food poisoning prevention inspections at kindergartens, school meal facilities, food suppliers, and catering companies in collaboration with the Busan Food and Drug Administration and local governments, which will continue until September 11.
With the resumption of large-scale meal services right after the start of the school year, the management of cooking facilities and the storage and transportation of ingredients are crucial for ensuring meal safety. It is essential that the education office's on-site monitoring is effective and not just a one-time check.
Superintendent Kim stated, “We will raise awareness of the importance of meal hygiene management and reflect various opinions from the field to provide safe and high-quality school meals for students in their growth years.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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