Pimentel urges massive inspection of food outlets amid poisoning

MANILA — After two died and one in serious condition due to faulty millk tea poisoning in Sampaloc, Manila, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III yesterday asked local government units and the Department of Health to conduct a massive inspection of all food outlets to prevent a similar incident.

Pimentel said a possible repeat must be prevented even as he urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately determine the cause of the food poisoning.

News reports said Suzaine Dagohoy and William Abrigo, owner of the Ego Cha Milk Tea House on Bustillos Street, collapsed moments after drinking the milk tea believed to be contaminated with poisonous chemicals and died hours later in a hospital.

Arnold Aydalla, boyfriend of Dagohoy who also took a sip but quickly spat it out, survived the incident and was reported in stable condition at the Philippine General Hospital where the victims were rushed last Thursday.

Pimentel said the city government of Manila should conduct a massive sanitary inspection of all food outlets, especially in thickly populated neighborhoods to prevent a similar occurrence because of unhealthy conditions.

He said the police should also speed up its investigation to determine what triggered the food poisoning so that the alleged perpetrators could be immediately arrested, jailed and charged in court.

The senator also urged health officials, especially the FDA, to expand their inspection of food products and food outlets to protect the interest of the public against persons breaking the rules and regulations on the production and sale of food items.