The Daejeon Institute of Health and Environment has launched an AI chatbot to help small food businesses navigate self-quality inspections.
On March 6, the institute announced the launch of “Daejeon Food Inspection Bot,” a chatbot designed to provide essential information on food safety and self-quality testing. Under South Korea’s Food Sanitation Act, food manufacturers must regularly conduct self-quality inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards. Failure to do so can result in fines or business suspension.
However, many small businesses, such as dessert shops, meal kit producers, and side dish retailers, often struggle to access food safety and testing information. The chatbot aims to bridge this gap by offering instant guidance on required inspections, procedures, fees, and testing schedules. Users can also receive automated reminders and search for testing agencies through the platform.
The institute is introducing the chatbot to a limited number of food manufacturers, with plans to expand to all 3,000 eligible businesses in Daejeon. The service is accessible for free via KakaoTalk by searching for “Daejeon Institute of Health and Environment” or scanning a QR code.
“We are the first local government to operate an AI-based guide service,” Institute Director Shin Yong-hyun stated. “We will continue to develop innovative administrative services to enhance public safety and convenience.”