7.2 percent of Seoul street food unhygienic

Watch out when you buy snacks from street vendors: they might not be as safe as you think.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government examined 181 snacks sold at kiosks or street venders, and found 13 items, or 7.2 percent, failed to meet hygiene standards.

Gimbap, or rice in a seaweed roll, made up the majority with eight cases followed by tempura, bread and rice cakes.

Excessive bacillus cereus, which could cause food poisoning, was detected in gimbap. The oil used for tempura was over saturated while too much sodium saccharin was found in bread and rice cakes.

The authorities explained that under the high temperature and extreme humidity, germs could easily spoil foods and Gimbap, made in the morning and sold throughout the day, is especially vulnerable to the environment.