ILOILO CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday urged the public to always observe proper food handling to avoid poisoning, even as they noted a decline in the number of cases since last year.
Dr. Elvie Villalobos, DOH infectious disease cluster head, said Western Visayas recorded 790 victims with four deaths out of 44 food poisoning incidents in 2016.
This year, 297 patients with one death have been recorded out of 25 food poisoning cases. This year’s victims came from Negros Occidental with 80; Iloilo, 117; Iloilo City, 37; Aklan, 38 and Antique with 25 cases.
“We continue to advocate food safety. Probably the public is already aware, thus the decrease in cases,” he said.
Amid the decline in cases, Villalobos said the public is still reminded to observe five ways of serving food.
These are keeping food clean by observing proper hand washing and keeping food containers always closed; cooking food thoroughly or up to 70 degrees Centigrade; keeping food at safe temperatures; separating cooked from uncooked foods; and ensuring a safe source of water.
“Food poisoning is caused by microorganism, common is bacteria that come from waste materials,” he said.
In the meantime, the City Health Office (CHO) is advising the public not to buy if they doubt the food preparations.
CHO sanitation inspector Rolando Catahay said it is necessary to look for a health certificate, which is the minimum requirement for food handlers.
As of December 12, the CHO has issued 69,000 food handlers’ certificates, he said.
Sanitary Inspector Jennifer Avenir added that starting next year, they will require all food handlers to undergo training.
The training covers topics on food establishment and water refilling station, vermin control, personal hygiene, food and water-borne diseases and garbage management. (PNA)
