[Provided by Andong city government]
[Provided by Andong city government]

The city of Andong in North Gyeongsang Province is accepting applications through July 24 for its 2026 "safe dining" restaurant certification program, aimed at promoting hygienic dining practices and creating a safer dining environment for residents, the city announced Thursday.

The program designates restaurants that follow everyday hygiene practices, including providing individual serving utensils, maintaining sanitary management of chopsticks and spoons, and requiring staff to wear hygiene caps and masks.

General restaurants and snack bars within the city are eligible to apply. Delivery-only establishments, as well as cafes and fast-food outlets that do not serve regular meals, are excluded.

To qualify for certification, applicants must meet three core hygiene standards: providing tools for individual portioning, ensuring sanitary utensil management through packaging or sterilization, and having staff wear hygiene caps and masks. Restaurants must also comply with relevant food sanitation laws and regulations.

Inquiries about the application process can be directed to the hygiene management team within the city's public health and sanitation division.

"The safe dining program is an important system for raising hygiene standards at restaurants and providing residents with a safer dining environment," a city official said. "We hope many restaurant owners in the area will take an interest and participate actively."


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