Previous Story
Tan Holdings makes substantial compliance
|
Posted on Apr 19 1999
Tan Holdings Corp. has already completed 85 percent of the requirements imposed by the Department of Public Health including structural changes in the factory’s kitchen to ensure the safety and cleanliness of food preparation.
According to Health Secretary Kevin Villagomez, employees working in the factory’s kitchen have complied with the food handlers examination and attended the health seminar as part of the department’s requirement after the food poisoning incident nearly a month ago.
“We have worked with management and they promised to put signs in the kitchen reminding the food handlers to follow basic hygiene,” he said. Since the incident which downed hundreds of factory workers, Bureau of Environmental Health and Sanitation inspectors have been checking the way food is prepared in the L&T Cafeteria.
Among the requirements to cafeteria workers include the wearing of caps while working, storing of food at the right temperature, use of hot water in washing dishes, etc.
The Center for Disease Control is set to reveal the results of its analysis on the type of bacteria that caused the food poisoning at the end of the month. Two CDC officials — a doctor and an epidemiologist — arrived here a week ago where they conducted a survey among factory workers to find out if there was any pattern on their sickness before the poisoning incident.
Earlier, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has commended Tan Holdings for carrying out the necessary improvements to ensure that workers are provided safe food for consumption.
Connie Hunt, director of enforcement operations, OSHA, said the agency is satisfied with the cooperation of Tan Holdings in investigating the cause of the recent food poisoning. OSHA has recommended five programs to Tan Holdings which she hopes would be adopted by the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association.
Furthermore, OSHA has expressed hope that Tan Holdings would be able to help the agency in convincing the other garment factory owners implement the health programs in their own companies.
