Food, waterborne disease prevention sought

The Department of Labor and Employment on Monday urged workplaces to practice health and safety measures to ensure the prevention of food and waterborne diseases including cholera and diarrhea.

In its first labor advisory for the year issued on Monday, the DoLE urged companies and employers to comply with the agency’s Department Order 198, s. 2018 or the current guidelines on occupational safety and health standards in the country, in providing adequate safe drinking water, as well as sanitary and washing facilities for employees.

Establishments that offer drinking water, including ice manufacturing plants, food establishments and other entities that provide drinking water are also urged to implement existing standards in the quality of drinking water in the country, citing the 2017 Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.

These establishments are also required to secure permits from local health offices, as well as implement other OSH programs that promote health and safety in the workplace against food and waterborne diseases.

The DoLE also encouraged workers to report incidents of food and waterborne diseases in employees to their respective local government units and the Department of Health upon investigation.

According to a DoH Epidemic-prone Disease Case Surveillance report at the end of last year, typhoid fever remained the highest reported food and waterborne disease in the country with 15,619 cases from 1 January to 17 December last year, significantly higher than the 5,869 cases on the same period in 2021.

Acute bloody diarrhea also remains the second most reported food and waterborne disease with 10,515 cases, with cholera and rotavirus having 6,342 and 4,728 cases respectively.