DOH: Thoroughly washed vegetables, fruits covered in volcanic ash safe to eat

MANILA, Philippines — Vegetables and fruits covered with volcanic ash from Taal Volcano’s eruption are still safe to eat for as long as they are thoroughly washed, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

“Wala pong problema yan, basta hugasan lang yung gulay at saka yung prutas na nalagyan ng abo. Basta hugasan lang nang mahusay at linisin, pwedeng kainin yun,” DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in a press briefing.

(There’s no problem, as long as the vegetables and fruits covered with ash are washed. Just make sure to thoroughly wash it and clean it, it’s safe to eat.)

But Domingo reiterated the DOH’s call to refrain from eating fish and other animals which may have ingested toxins from Taal’s eruption.

“Pero yung buhay na hayop, yung mga isda nakaka-ingest kasi sila ng toxins, until we are sure, we advise the public to refrain just for caution,” he said.

(But the animals, fish which may have ingested toxins, we advise the public to refrain from eating them just for caution until we are sure it’s safe.)

DOH also earlier warned the public against buying and consuming fish from the Taal Lake and from nearby provinces as these pose health risks, which include stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Domingo advised the public to wait until the Agriculture Department has finished its tests on the possible toxic chemicals found in the affected areas.

“Because we know that toxic substances have been thrown out of the volcano and na-disolve yan sa tubig natin. At kung makikita natin kung enough siya para pumatay ng isda at pumatay ng hayop, then pag na-ingest natin ito, maaaring mailipat sa katawan ng tao itong mga toxins na ito,” Domingo said.

(Because we know that toxic substances have been thrown out of the volcano and it dissolved in our waters. We see that it’s enough to kill fish and animals so if we ingest this, there’s a possibility for the toxins to transfer to the human body.)

“So we await the further tests of DA [Department of Agriculture], clearing na walang toxic level na nakakatakot doon sa tubig, wag po muna sana. Refrain muna tayo from taking itong mga isda,” he added.

(So as we await the further tests of DA clearing that there are no high toxic levels that pose dangers in the water, don’t eat it yet. Refrain from consuming the fish).

Edited by MUF