Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations

Room 701, Seoul YWCA, 1-1, Myeongdong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul,

TEL +82-02-774-4050, FAX +82-02-774-4090

Press Release

Effecitive Date	: Dec. 12, 2011
Dept. in Charge	: Team leader Jo June-ha
	: Assistant Administrator Ryu Soo-yang
Tel	: +82-02-770-4050

Caution to food safety during winter time

KNCCO announced cases of counseling on food safety during winter

The Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations (KNCCO) (President Kim Jae-ok) has analyzed the cases of counseling on food safety handled at 1372 Consumer Counseling Center of 10 consumer organizations nationwide. Numerous cases reported show that winter, which as been thought to be relatively safer, is in actuality not safe.

The number of consumer counseling is more in winter than in spring.

This year, there were 2,862 cases of counseling on food safety applied in November, the beginning of winter, and 918 cases as of December 10th. Last year, the number was 2,756 in November and 2,505 in December. The numbers applied in winter were generally less than in the summer or fall, but more than in the spring. This results from the fact that the difference in the types or easiness in food storage in each season becomes less meaningful with a well-equipped heating or cooling system at home and in distribution stores, and foods in storage often spoil due to excessive heating during the winter

Precautions to be taken to prevent food poisoning during the winter

During the last two years, amongst the cases of counseling on food safety received during November and December, 1,012 cases were on the mixture of foreign materials in the food, followed by 414 cases on spoiled foods, 372 cases on strange symptoms such as stomachache or vomiting after eating, and 211 cases on purchasing the product after the expiration date. Among them, the cases on strange symptoms after eating, the majority of the 161 cases turned out to be the common stomach ache or enteritis, but as many as 34 cases showed symptoms of food poisoning. Food poisoning by virus such as the Norovirus infection is not affected by temperature, and thus is necessary to take precautions to prevent food poisoning even during the winter.

Products within the expiration date are not an exception.

Among the cases reported during November and December the past two years, 124 cases were dealt with problems even though the product was purchased within the expiration date. Thus we cannot feel safe even if the expiration date has not passed. The products that had problem were dairy products (41 cases) including milk and yogurt, bread and cookies (29 cases), ham and sausages (19 cases), and eggs (10 cases). Recklessness in the type of storage of products or not observing the precautions during the process of transportation, display, and storage are the main reasons these issues have been reported. So it is necessary to think once again about the recent discussion on changing the expiration date until a systematic management is made on the timely transportation and correct display of the products.

Precautions announced by KNCCO on food safety during winter season

KNCCO announced the following precautions on food safety during the winter.

Firstly, do not blindly believe the expiration date when purchasing food, and examine the condition, smell, color, etc. of the food before buying.

Secondly, when storing food, follow the instructions for storage of each type of food, and do not leave food near heaters or heating appliances.

Thirdly, eat fully cooked food. If it is unavoidable to eat raw food, make sure you eat only those that may be eaten raw.

Fourthly, sterilize cooking utensils such as knives and cutting boards periodically.

Lastly, call the consumer counseling center #1372 for help if any problems including food safety occur.

< Group Members >

Consumers Korea, Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs, National Council of Homemakers' Classes, Korea Women's Association, Korea Consumer Affairs Institute, Korea Consumers Education Center, Consumers Union of Korea, YMCA Korea, National YWCA of Korea, Green Consumers Network in Korea