Seoul City Conducts Intensive Inspection on Handling of Non-Edible Wild Animals Such as Bats and Snakes

Public-Private Joint Inspection Team Visits 3 Markets and Restaurants in Yeongdeungpo, Dongdaemun, and Gwangjin Districts

As the government restricts entry for all foreigners who have visited or stayed in Hubei Province to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, health authorities are screening passengers at the dedicated arrival area for flights from China at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on the 5th. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will conduct joint public-private inspections in foreigner-dense market areas and grocery stores to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) and alleviate citizens' anxiety about foreign food products.

On the 5th, Seoul announced that it will visit foreign grocery stores and surrounding restaurants in Daerim Central Market in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Gyeongdong Market in Dongdaemun-gu, and Joyang Market in Gwangjin-gu for inspections.

The inspection team, consisting of a total of 75 members from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Civil Life Judicial Police Unit, autonomous districts, consumer food hygiene inspectors, and merchant associations, will be deployed for the joint public-private inspection.

The main inspection items include ▲whether illegal wild animals that are not edible are handled ▲hygienic management of kitchens and other areas within the establishments ▲compliance with hygienic handling standards for food ▲unreported (unregistered) business operations or use of unlabeled products ▲appropriateness of raw material usage and storage management (freezing, refrigeration, first-in-first-out, etc.) ▲sale or use of expired products.

In particular, the inspection will focus on whether establishments are handling legally prohibited inedible wild animals such as bats, snakes, and raccoons. Currently, the city understands that there are no such establishments, but plans to conduct a more thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, the city plans to promote the prohibition of illegal meat products, sale of inedible wild animals, and consumption bans through campaigns.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.