Food poisoning is an infectious or toxin-related illness caused by consuming contaminated water or food. In hot and humid weather like now, toxin-type food poisoning caused by staphylococcus bacteria is most common. (Image courtesy of Getty Image Bank/CCL)
SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea saw a decline in overall food poisoning cases last year, but salmonella-related infections bucked the trend, highlighting lingering vulnerabilities in hygiene management, government data show.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), there were 265 outbreaks of foodborne illness in 2024, sickening 7,624 people — down 26 percent and 13 percent, respectively, from the previous year. Nearly 40 percent of cases occurred during the sweltering summer months of July through September, with half of all patients falling ill during that period.
Salmonella emerged as the leading culprit, linked to 32 percent of outbreaks, surpassing norovirus (20 percent) and pathogenic E. coli (13 percent), which had been the most common causes in prior years. Two-thirds of salmonella cases were traced to restaurants, while norovirus and E. coli infections were largely tied to group cafeterias.
Restaurants accounted for the majority of incidents, with 154 outbreaks affecting more than 2,500 people. Group meal services outside schools were the next most common source, followed by other communal facilities.
By region, North Jeolla Province reported the highest incidence rate — 698 patients per million residents — followed by Jeju and Gwangju.
With salmonella cases rising and warmer weather still ahead, regulators urged the public to adhere strictly to food safety guidelines. “We expect food poisoning cases to continue into September, so prevention remains critical,” the ministry said.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
