Daegu City Leads Nationwide in 'Reducing Sodium' Practice Businesses... Expanding Designation of Restaurants and Cafeterias

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Daegu City announced on the 30th that starting in September, it will conduct a 'Sodium Reduction Project' targeting local restaurants and group meal service facilities in collaboration with Kyungpook National University.

Through this project, education and consulting on sodium reduction will be provided to practicing and new establishments, covering ▲ the risks of sodium and the necessity of reduction ▲ methods for measuring and managing salt levels ▲ support for low-sodium cooking techniques applicable on-site.

After consulting, dedicated sodium managers will conduct continuous monitoring, including salt level analysis, using both exposed and unexposed methods. Based on the monitoring results, establishments designated as practicing sites will receive support such as signage for 'Sodium Reduction Practice Restaurant' and 'Samsam Meal Service Facility,' as well as hygiene supplies.

A 'Sodium Reduction Practice Restaurant' must operate menus where the sodium content per serving is less than 1300 mg or menus that have reduced sodium by more than 30%, accounting for at least 20% of the total menu. A 'Samsam Meal Service Facility' refers to a meal service that provides a daily (five days a week) lunch with sodium content of 1300 mg or less per adult serving.

Since 2014, Daegu City has continuously promoted the 'Sodium Reduction Project,' and currently, it has the largest number nationwide with 123 designated practicing establishments (103 practice restaurants and 20 Samsam meal service facilities). This year, the plan is to expand to 146 establishments by adding 23 more.

According to last year's Community Health Survey, Daegu's preference rate for low-sodium food was 45%, ranking second among metropolitan local governments nationwide. Daegu City believes this is the result of continuously promoting sodium reduction projects in dining establishments for the health of its citizens.

Kim Jae-dong, Director of the Citizen Health Bureau of Daegu City, stated, "We plan to continue expanding the designation of Sodium Reduction Practice Restaurants and Samsam Meal Service Facilities to establish a healthy food culture," and urged citizens to show great interest.

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