After the United Nations formally proclaimed the observance last December, the first World Food Safety Day is being observed today. According to the UN, the observance seeks to “draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, and sustainable development.”
According to the UN, approximately 600 million fall ill worldwide to contaminated food every year, resulting in around 420,000 deaths.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, in partnership with the World Health Organization, work towards addressing food safety concerns.
During this year’s Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City officials worked to ensure sanitation standards were met during the celebration.
The Iloilo City Health Office reminded food handlers and vendors of certain sanitation standards and requirements ahead of the festival.
“There are a lot of tourists coming to witness this event and we have to ensure that the food they eat from the kiosks are safe,” explained City Health officer, Dr. Bernard Caspe. “That is why we require health cards.”
Meanwhile, during the Dinagyang Food Festival, Happy Abenir, who was in charge of the event, assured all participants were compliant with the memorandum circular regarding health and sanitation.
“We are required, as an association, to post health cards for their employees and sanitation permits because City Health inspects our areas,” Abenir affirmed. “For the past four years, [this has been] part of the standard operating procedure.”/WDJ