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Guri City Revamps Food Safety with Integrated Hygiene Ratings and Cultural Initiative
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Guri City, South Korea, is embarking on a thorough overhaul of its restaurant certification system, merging a decades-old programme with a national hygiene rating system and launching a broader “2026 Food culture Improvement Project” aimed at bolstering public trust and supporting local businesses.
The move comes as the city sunsets its “model business designation system”-in place since September 1996-and integrates it fully into the hygiene rating system managed by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.This consolidation, announced January 30th, signals a commitment to a more streamlined and transparent approach to food safety, according to city officials.
A New Era for Dining Confidence
The core of the initiative is to create a dining environment where citizens feel confident in the quality and safety of local restaurants. The “2026 Food Culture improvement Project” outlines six key activities:
- Revitalizing the restaurant hygiene rating system.
- Creating a safe dining environment.
- Establishing a hygienic food culture.
- Expanding the operation of safe restaurants.
- Developing a pan-citizen movement based on public-private cooperation.
- Spreading food culture in connection with local commercial districts and festivals.
Currently, 176 restaurants in Guri City have achieved a designated hygiene level under the Ministry’s system as of the end of 2025. The hygiene rating system itself assigns ratings of “very good,” “excellent,” and “good” based on evaluations of restaurant hygiene management practices.
Supporting Businesses Through Enhanced Clarity
Recognizing the potential burden on restaurant owners, Guri City plans to offer 1:1 customized consulting and on-site guidance to general restaurants, cafeterias, and bakeries. This support aims to foster a culture of autonomous hygiene management and encourage broader participation in the rating system.
“This food culture improvement project is meaningful in going beyond simple hygiene management and creating a healthy and trusted food culture in which citizens and small business owners participate together,” a senior official stated.
The city also intends to leverage existing local certifications-such as those for “Waguri Restaurant” and “Old Restaurant”-by linking them to the national hygiene rating system. This integration is expected to boost the local economy, especially within the city’s alley commercial districts.
Promoting Safe Practices and a Vibrant Food scene
Beyond the rating system, Guri City will launch a public awareness campaign to promote hygienic food culture practices, including mindful portion sizes and the use of individual plates. Regular restaurant hygiene inspections will continue to be conducted to prevent food poisoning, and educational programs will be offered to both restaurant staff and the public.
To further stimulate the local food scene, Guri City will provide a food promotion fund to the Guri City branch of the Korea Restaurant Association. This funding will support a food culture festival connected to existing local festivals, providing a platform for both established and smaller restaurants to showcase their offerings.
The Mayor of Guri, Baek Kyeong-hyeon, affirmed the city’s commitment to ongoing food culture policies tailored to the unique needs of the community. “We will continue to promote food culture policies that fit the circumstances of Guri
