The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) and the Department of Health-Region VI (DOH-6) recently urged the public to only patronize food establishments who have acquired all necessary permits to operate.

“When you buy food this holiday season, ask first if the establishment has [a] Sanitary Permit; and that food handlers have health [certificates] and are wearing proper clothing [in order] to avoid food contamination,” said CHO Chief Sanitation Inspector Rodolfo Catahay.

Under the Sanitation Code of Iloilo City, no person or entity shall operate a food establishment for public patronage without securing a Sanitary Permit, he stressed.

Catahay added, the policies also apply to food booths, stalls, and street vendors.

Meanwhile, DOH-6 infectious diseases cluster head, Dr. Elvie Villalobos, warned of food poisoning during the holiday season.

“It is important, [while] we celebrate this holiday season, we also practice food safety,” he said.

Between January 1 and December 1 of this year, DOH-6 recorded a total 297 cases of food poisoning in the Western Visayas./WDJ