[THE INEVESTOR] The local unit of US fast food chain McDonald’s said on Sept. 25 it will carry out inspections of all of its stores in Korea after its allegedly undercooked burger patties were accused of causing health problems.

The Korea Food Safety Association will visit 440 stores throughout the country between September and February to check their overall food control processes, including sanitary conditions in the kitchens, the company said.

Founded in 2003, the KFSA carries out education, audit and information-sharing activities on various food safety issues, according to McDonald’s.

The announcement came less than three weeks after Joh Ju-yeon, managing director of the global fast food chain’s local unit, expressed regret over the patty issue that caused the company to take flak and face huge public scrutiny.

In July, a woman lodged a complaint with the Seoul prosecutors’ office against the fast food chain, claiming her 5-year-old daughter now has permanently damaged kidneys after eating a Happy Meal burger served with an undercooked patty. A handful of similar complaints followed.

A food safety research center under Seoul-based Chung-ang University will also take part as an advisory body, the company said.

By Alex Lee and newswires (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)