Groups Push for Food Safety Vigilance Amid String of Poisoning Incidents
In a bid to stop the series of food poisoning
incidents due to the ingestion of tainted candies to school snacks,
environmental and health groups called for food safety vigilance to ensure
quality and safe food for all.
“We call upon the government to uphold the safety and welfare of the consuming
public by the full implementation of laws that govern the safety of food,” said
Rene Pineda, President of Consumer Rights for Safe Food.
Pineda specifically pointed to the need to accelerate the effective enforcement
of Republic Act 10611 and its recently promulgated Implementing Rules and
Regulations.
Also known as the Food Safety Act of 2013, R.A. 10611, among other measures,
aims to “establish policies and programs for addressing food safety hazards and
developing appropriate standards and control measures.”
“The rise in food poisoning cases affecting young children, the most vulnerable
population group, warrants the speedy implementation of R.A. 10611, including
the establishment of the Food Safety Regulation Coordinating Board, which is
tasked to prepare crisis management plan and lead food control activities,” he
added.
For his part, toxicologist Dr. Romy Quijano, President of the Pesticide Action
Network – Philippines underscored the need for “vigorous public education,
multisectoral dialogues on food safety issues, and the conduct of continuing
monitoring programs for food manufacturers and food business operators” to
prevent food poisoning incidents.
EcoWaste Coalition Coordinator Aileen Lucero identified immediate action steps
that should be carried out to promote food safety vigilance among government,
business and consumer stakeholders.
“We suggest that all flag-raising ceremonies across the country this coming
Monday be used by government and school authorities to drum up personal and
collective consciousness and action towards food safety. It’s a good
platform to disseminate policies and measures to prevent food poisoning,” she
stated.
“Next week, we also hope that government officials from Health Secretary
Janette Garin down to local mayors will go into the streets and conduct
on-the-spot food safety inspections. We need to see them in public to
assure our people that every step is being done to guarantee public access to safe
food,” she said.
“The government should also ensure that no stone is left unturned to resolve
recent food poisoning cases and that the culprits are duly penalized,” she
added.
The EcoWaste Coalition further urged local health departments to organize food
safety seminars targeting all food business operators, including cottage food
industries, school canteens, restaurants and street vendors to reiterate safe
and hygienic food manufacturing and handling practices,” she added.
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