Leading the Way in Reducing Sodium for the Health of Gangbuk Residents

Continuous Salt Level Monitoring for School Cafeterias and Restaurants... Taste Tests, Body Salt Measurements, Life Cycle-Based Customized Lectures, and Education for Food Service Workers to Raise Awareness of Low-Sodium Diet Importance

Salinity Monitoring

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) is promoting the "Sodium Intake Reduction Project" to reduce excessive sodium intake, which is identified as a cause of various adult diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and to foster healthy eating habits.

First, sodium level monitoring will be conducted at 67 locations including daycare centers, kindergartens, local children's centers, senior welfare centers, senior citizen centers, public institutions, and general restaurants within the district. Bluetooth salinometers will be distributed to meal service facilities, and dedicated inspectors will visit general restaurants to measure sodium levels directly. The measured data will be managed through a dedicated web program, and designated certificates and plaques will be distributed to low-sodium practice restaurants and meal service facilities.

The district plans to implement various projects not only for direct sodium level management but also to raise awareness among residents about the importance of low-sodium and low-sugar diets and to encourage healthy eating.

In the "Visiting Taste Test," five samples with different sodium and sugar levels are prepared for selection, allowing participants to evaluate the intensity and preference of salty and sweet tastes they perceive. At the "Sodium Measurement Corner," body sodium is analyzed through urine tests. The district also provides individual nutritional counseling based on the test results.

Additionally, customized lectures will be offered according to life stages. These include "Eating the Seasons with Five Senses" to help infants develop proper taste, "Healthy School Nutrition Class" for elementary students to promote healthy eating habits, "Na (Sodium) Down: 5 Weeks of Dietary Habit Change" for housewives, and "Creating a Golden Life" to address dietary issues among seniors, providing enriching classes.

Furthermore, the district plans to collaborate with the Korea Foodservice Industry Association and the Food Culture Improvement Project to educate restaurant owners and kitchen staff on low-sodium recipes and the use of salinometers, as well as distribute educational materials and promotional items.

Gangbuk-gu Mayor Park Gyeom-su stated, "With the prolonged COVID-19 situation, the consumption of convenience foods and delivery meals high in sodium has increased in households, raising concerns about residents' health. We will actively promote the sodium intake reduction project to establish a proper food culture and strive to improve the health of our residents."

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