The Korea Food and Drug Management (KFDA) is considering implementing mandatory reporting for local governments under a new “meal law” to accurately assess the status of small-scale meal operations.
This initiative aims to address food safety concerns in facilities serving young children and infants, as well as welfare facilities for the disabled and elderly. Currently,private kindergartens and children’s welfare facilities with fewer than 100 children,and welfare facilities for the disabled with fewer than 50 individuals receiving a single meal,are subject to fines under the Children’s food Safety management Special Act if they fail to meet certain standards.
The KFDA plans to broaden the scope of its social welfare food management support centers. This expansion would extend support for hygiene and nutrition management to smaller meal operations beyond those serving the disabled and elderly, especially those with fewer than 50 employees.
The agency projects that by 2026, with social welfare food management support centers established in all cities, counties, and districts nationwide, the required budget for these services will be reduced. The number of such centers is expected to grow from the current 142 to 228.
Moreover, the KFDA intends to develop specific safety management standards for small food service operations.This will guide food service centers in adhering to hygiene and safety management protocols.
