PHO, health dept’s to issue sanitary permits for food shops

CEBU, Philippines - In line with efforts to protect the public’s health, the Cebu Provincial Board has asked the Provincial Health Office and local health departments in the province to issue sanitary permits to food establishments.

“[The] proliferation of food establishments without sa-nitary permits from their respective municipality or city health offices poses a threat to public health,” stated the newly approved PB resolution sponsored by member Miguel Magpale.

Last month, a team from the Danao City Health Office inspected the food shops in Mitsumi Inc. after more than 100 employees of the company were hit by a diarrhea outbreak.

“In order to prevent transmission of communicable diseases through food handling, a strict imposition of Section 14 of the Sanitary Code is quintessential to achieve such purpose,” the resolution said.

Section 14 of the Sanitary Code mandates all food establishments to secure a sanitary permit before the local health office. This permit is also a pre-requisite in securing a business permit. — (FREEMAN)