Proclamation No. 160 declares the last week of October as Food Safety Awareness Week to create public awareness and to educate people on food safety in order to reduce and ultimately eradicate food poisoning and other foodborne illness which in some cases resulted to death.

When there is proper handling, cooking, and storage of food, food safety is guaranteed. Having high quality and safe food requires a collaborative effort along the food chain from the production, transport and processing, retail and storage, preparation, and consumption (Food and Drug Administration).

Given the fact that the primary food safety responsibility depends on the food producers, a lot of water and foodborne diseases are caused by the improperly prepared or mishandled food at home, in food service establishments, markets or even in the farms (Weiler, et al 2019). The Department of Health also adds unsafe sources of drinking water; improper disposal of human waste; unhygienic practices like spitting anywhere, blowing or picking of nose; and unsafe food handling and preparation practices like some of the street-vended foods. The common symptoms of foodborne disease include stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea. Such disease can lead to long-lasting health problems and very severe diseases like cancer, arthritis, and neurological disorders (Weiler, et al 2019). Because of these, children cannot learn and adults cannot work, thus leading to human development being hampered.

WHO stated ways to keep the food safe because everyone has the right to safe and nutritious food.

• Practice personal hygiene at all times which includes washing of hands before and during preparing food, and bathing regularly.
• Clean and sanitize surfaces, countertops, cooking utensils, the kitchen, and other food preparation areas.
• Separate raw meat and seafood from other food like fruits and vegetables. Also, use separate containers, cutting boards, and knives to avoid contamination between raw and cooked food.
• Cook and store food thoroughly. Temperatures below 5°C and above 70°C can stop the growth of bacteria.
• Eat fresh food and drink clean water. Select nutritious, fresh, and preferable in season, and locally grown food.

Yrgyl M. Sucdad & Bella M. Basalong

References:

World Health Organization (2019)

Food Safety is Everybody’s Responsibility

Department of Health (undated)

Food Safety

Philippine Food and Drug Administration

Food Safety Control System in the Philippines

World Wide Fund (2020
5 Steps to Keep our Food Safe

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/1999/08aug/19990816-PROC-0160-JEE.pdf