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Health inspections will be stepped up
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Posted on Mar 18 1999
In a move to ensure that hotels and restaurants abide by the health and sanitation regulations, Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez yesterday said he will increase the frequency of inspection in these establishments.
According to Villagomez, he wants to make sure that the food handlers also follow the health regulations in food preparation, thus the need to carry out regular inspections.
Based on the recent inspection report of the Bureau of Environmental Health, the following establishments were given Grade A: Kung Chun Restaurant in Chalan Lau Lau; 747 Restaurant, Garapan; Kaizoku Restaurant, Susupe; J’s Restaurant, San Jose; Lucky 8 Night Club, San Jose; given Grade B were Q’s Bar, Susupe; Country House
Restaurant, Garapan; Tokyo Bakery, Chalan Kanoa; Aloha Restaurant, Chalan Piao; Esco’s Bakery, Capitol Hill; Yean Bean Restaurant, Garapan; Lucky Bar, Garapan; given Grade C Stop Light Night Club, San Jose; Bolis Catering, Chalan Kanoa; Bolis R Us Snack Bar, Chalan Kanoa and Koo San Restaurant, Koblerville.
Villagomez said some establishments are were found very unsanitary as the food handlers ignore the health procedures. “We will not tolerate these practices, that’s why we will increase the frequency of inspection,” he added.
Food handlers are now required to take annual health screening on top of the regular examination during the renewal of their contract so that they can be screened for food-borne bacteria such as salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, intestinal parasites, among others.
The new regulations was aimed at controlling the spread of food-borne diseases in the community which can be passed on through the handling, processing and serving of food to the customers.
Villagomez said the department has documented cases where people got sick after eating in certain establishments. The regulation defines food handlers as any worker engaged in handling, processing and manufacture of food like waitresses, waiters, bartenders, packers and cooks.
