CHCC shuts down some restaurants

Non-compliance with food sanitation rules—forced in part by the islandwide blackout in the aftermath of Typhoon Souledor—has resulted in some restaurants and food establishments being shut down by the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.

After Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan two weeks ago, restaurants and food businesses now rely on generators and delivered water, which has prompted some concerns about the safety of perishable items and sanitation.

A number of community members have complained on social media, including Amanda Allen, who said she got food poisoning after eating at a local restaurant. She, however, could not pinpoint which one made her ill as she had patronized several establishments. Allen has sworn to eat canned food until island power is stabilized.

In response to cases like Allen’s, CHCC said it has already responded by heightening inspections of restaurants and food businesses a couple of days after Typhoon Soudelor hit.

“We have enhanced the Division of Public Health’s Bureau of Environmental Health staffing and reassigned other staff to BEH to maximize enforcement and they are out and about,” said Warren Villagomez, Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program director.

Villagomez noted that they have shifted scheduled inspections on a daily basis.

“It’s not a daily routine from 7:30am to 4:30pm but we’re going out there before the businesses catering to food and stores are closing and making sure that all storage and facilities are secured for perishable items,” he said.

Initial assessment and inspections of restaurants, according to Villagomez, found that some restaurants have had gaps.

“We have actually closed down a couple of businesses that cater food and some businesses have closed their doors already as you may have seen around the island,” he said.

Inspections

Health inspectors inspect food and eating establishment at least once every six months. Depending on the findings, the establishment may get a grade “A” (the highest level), or a grade “B”.

Establishments that don’t get any of these two grades will have its license suspended and is immediately closed until the errors are rectified.

CHCC chief operating officer Esther Muña said that the BEH team continues to check on establishments to ensure food safety. Once the establishment is found in violation, a citation is given that can lead to shutting the establishment down until corrections are made.

What to do

“CHCC and BEH are working hard to enforce the laws on patient safety. Meanwhile, our dietitians and the Non-Communicable Disease Bureau will soon be releasing information on how to eat healthy during the power outage. These include a list of the types of healthy food you can store safely,” Muña said.

BEH urges the public to exercise caution when purchasing food during the extended power outage. These include:

Any foul stench or smell from food is an indicator that food is not safe to eat.

Avoid food from freezers that contain both meat and seafood.

Watch out for discolored meat or boxes that are wet on the bottom.

Food in freezers at temperatures higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit may not be safe to eat, and avoid food from freezers, which are kept cold only with ice added.

If meat appears frozen, make sure it doesn’t feel soft.

Meat must be cooked thoroughly to at least a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Food poisoning? Visit a doctor

Symptoms of food poisoning include upset stomach, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and dehydration and may range from mild to severe.

CDC states that when young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with weak immune systems eat contaminated food, they have a greater chance of becoming severely sick with problems like miscarriage or kidney failure.

CHCC suggests that they immediately see a doctor or healthcare provider if you have diarrhea along with a high fever (temperature over 101.5°F, measured orally), blood in the stools, prolonged vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down, signs of dehydration, including a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up, or if you have had diarrhea for more than three days.