Gyeonggi Health and Environment Research Institute Tests 23 Food Establishments Using Groundwater for 'Norovirus'

Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment is inspecting food establishments using groundwater for norovirus infection. Photo by Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is launching an investigation into norovirus contamination targeting food manufacturing businesses that use groundwater.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 15th that, to prevent food poisoning, it will investigate norovirus contamination from the end of this month through April at 23 food manufacturing businesses in the province that use groundwater.

The investigation targets businesses using groundwater as food processing water, including food manufacturing businesses, group catering facilities, and food service establishments. If norovirus is detected, the groundwater wells and water tanks of the facility will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and safety will be ensured through chlorine disinfection of the facilities and equipment in use.

Norovirus is a major cause of mass food poisoning and causes acute gastroenteritis accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Infection mainly occurs through consumption of contaminated water or food, or contact with infected individuals. If contaminated groundwater is used during food manufacturing, washing, or processing, it can spread and lead to mass food poisoning.

An official from the Institute of Health and Environment said, "To prevent norovirus infection, regular water quality inspections and blocking of surrounding contamination sources such as septic tanks are necessary."

Meanwhile, last year, the Institute inspected facilities of 15 food manufacturing and processing businesses using groundwater, 4 general restaurants, and 1 food service establishment, and no norovirus was detected in any of the businesses.

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