Health department warns vs food risks

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday warned of the dangers of patronizing street foods being sold by itinerant or ambulant vendors during All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

The DOH, in a statement, said that street food sold by ambulant vendors can be carriers of typhoid bacteria as there is no way of ensuring the cleanliness or sanitation of the food that they are selling.

Also, the DOH warned the possibility of having cholera, food poisoning or dysentery for patronizing such kinds of food.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said Filipinos should not rely on street or "ambulant" foods since they do not offer assurance in terms of sanitation.

"The safety and sanitation of these foods are doubtful as these might have been exposed to dusts and other disease-causing organisms," said Ona.

In order to avoid any illness such as diarrhea and food poisoning, people going to cemeteries are advised to bring their own food and drinking water.

The DOH said they are continuously monitoring ambulant vendors and encouraging them to follow proper handling and preparations of the food they sell.

The public is advised to be careful in the food that they buy during the season and is asking people to ensure that vendors have proper health permits and that the handling of the food that they sell is clean and safe.

The DOH said that it would be better if people who are trooping to cemeteries this holiday would bring their own food to ensure cleanliness and the safety of their family members.

Earlier, the DOH has issued a stern advisory to public schools to monitor ambulant vendors in their locations to prevent instances of students being victims of food poisoning. (Ian Ocampo Flora/with Sunnex)