More food handlers follow regulations
With the implementation of the new regulation on food handling, the Bureau of Environmental Health has reported an increase in the number of workers that have taken the required health examination.
Of the 4,768 applications for medical exam that have been distributed since February 8, 1999, the bureau received some 2,392 medical results last week, said Ned S. Arriola, deputy secretary for Public Health. Some 3,500 workers have attended the Food Hygiene & Sanitation Workshops held at the MultiPurpose Center and private establishments. Over 5,000 workers in the Northern Marianas are employed as food handlers.
According to Arriola, the actual number of certificates won’t be known for a week or so as many businesses including hotels, are awaiting completion of all procedures for their employees before making any payment of fees.
The new regulation which requiring all workers handling foods for public consumption to be medically-examined for communicable diseases and attend the basic Food Hygiene and Sanitation Workshop. The medical examination involve stool culture for food-borne diseases such as salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, intestinal parasites, among others.
Public Health Secretary Kevin Joe Villagomez said the regulation 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.
The regulation defines food handlers as any worker engaged in the handling, processing and manufacture of food like waitresses, waiters, bartenders, packers and cooks. Lindablue F. Romero
