Councilor cautions evacuees vs canned goods

Friday, January 20, 2012

A CITY councilor is urging the residents in evacuation centers to check the expiration dates of donated canned goods to prevent food poisoning.

Councilor Dante Pajo, chair of the City Council committee on health and sanitation, said dangerous bacteria are able to grow more easily on expired food.

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Pajo said expired food might cause diarrhea, upset stomach accompanied by vomiting, gas and bloating.

He said canned goods and noodles can develop foul odor and changes in flavor or appearance due to spoilage.

“Residents should avoid eating this food. Canning is a good process and eliminates much bacteria and oxygen. However, there is still the issue of anaerobic bacteria. These little beggars grow slow but they can do so in the absence of oxygen. What's more, they can make you incredibly sick,” he said.

Pajo said expired food will have different effects like for chips, which may turn less crisp.

However, he said expired canned goods should not be eaten since these carry higher chances of contracting bacteria.

Pajo said based on reports from the Food Safety and Inspection Service, molds in food can cause allergies, respiratory distress or illness.

“It is always safer to throw the food away rather than take off the mold and eat it,” Pajo said.

He said residents should also cook their food thoroughly and make sure that their utensils are properly cleaned.

Aside from possible food poisoning, Pajo also cautioned the people not to always eat canned goods since these are high in salt and is bad for the health.

“It is better to use them as ‘pangsahog’ or mix with other meals like vegetables for it to be more healthy. This is not the time for people to get sick. Health is wealth so they must take care of it,” he said. (Nicole J. Managbanag)