12 Unmanned Cafes and Convenience Stores Caught Storing Products Past Expiration Date

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 22nd that from the 15th to the 19th of last month, it conducted intensive inspections nationwide in collaboration with local governments on unmanned cafes, unmanned ice cream and meal kit vending stores, and convenience stores that prepare and sell food, identifying 12 locations that violated the Food Sanitation Act.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This inspection was organized to proactively strengthen hygiene and safety in unmanned food sales facilities, which have been increasing due to the expansion of non-face-to-face consumption environments influenced by COVID-19 and other factors.

A total of 4,359 locations nationwide were inspected. The violations found at the 12 locations included ▲storage and sale of products past their consumption (distribution) expiration date (10 locations) ▲failure to report changes in business area (1 location) ▲failure to conduct health examinations (1 location), among others.

Additionally, 132 beverage samples from food vending machines operated in unmanned cafes and similar establishments were collected and tested for bacterial counts and coliform bacteria. Four samples were found to be non-compliant with bacterial count standards, and administrative actions will be taken against the respective businesses.

For the violating businesses, the relevant local governments will conduct follow-up inspections within six months after administrative actions to verify whether improvements have been made.

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