MMDA: Tighten watch on food sold in markets

MANILA, Philippines–In the wake of the milk tea poisoning incident in Sampaloc, Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
(MMDA) has asked health officers of local government units (LGUs) to tighten the monitoring of markets in their areas to stop the sale of illegal food substances.

In a meeting on Monday with city health officers from the 17 Metro Manila LGUs, MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino directed them to check if food products that had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were being sold in establishments under their jurisdiction.

“This is very important especially this summer because children [spend] most of [their] time outside [the house],” he said, adding that kids were more prone to food contamination and poisoning.

During the meeting, the MMDA also batted for “strengthening public health and [everyone’s] active participation in promoting a healthy living environment in Metro Manila.”

“We need to establish constant and dynamic communication between the MMDA and the city health officers in order to strengthen their role in the development of plans, projects and programs that will have an impact on the environment,” Tolentino said.

He noted that this was the first time the agency conducted a meeting with representatives from LGUs’ health offices, the Department of Health-National Capital Region office and the Association of Health Officers of Metro Manila.–Maricar B. Brizuela