DOH wants thorough probe on Danao food poisoning

CEBU, Philippines - A ranking official of the Department of Health wants a thorough investigation into the food poisoning incident in Danao City last week which downs at least 13 people after eating lechon.

DOH spokesperson Eric Tayag said that the entire process has to be reviewed.

“It has to be checked kung saan galing yung baboy. Kung sino ang nagluto, kung papaano niluto. We have to check on that,” Tayag said.

Tayag was in Cebu yesterday as keynote speaker in the 4th Asian Vaccine Congress.

According to Tayag, investigators should conduct background investigation on the source of the lechon and whether it was served hot.He explained that food that is meant to be eaten hot should be eaten hot because after two hours if such food is not eaten bacteria will set in.

“Kung kinain mong balat ng lechon, tapos hindi na mainit, you are no longer eating the skin but you are now eating the bacteria,” said Tayag.

He said it has also to be checked whether the meat used for lechon was in good quality.

“Bawal ang bocha o double dead na karne,” he added.

At least three families were admitted at the Danao Provincial Hospital last Sunday after eating lechon.

The lechon was bought from the same outlet that also downed 40 detainees of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology a week ago.

Edwin Ebalya, 58, was celebrating his birthday last Sunday and his family bought him five kilos of lechon. Tayag said food sample has been collected and submitted for laboratory examination. The result is expected top be out on Friday. — /FPL (FREEMAN)