For public safety, city govt intensifies sanitary inspection on food outlets

COTABATO CITY -- For public's safety, the city government here has intensified sanitary inspection of food outlets and carenderia, warning food handlers of closure if business and sanitarypermits are not secured.Aniceto Rasalan, secretary to Mayor Japal Guiani Jr, said food centers without sanitary permits issued by the City Health Office may be shut down after due notice.Rasalan said these food areas have been given notices to secure sanitary clearance from the city health. He said failure of food handlers to secure necessary permits face closure.On Friday afternoon, a food outlet along Don Rufino Alonzo Avenue was shut down for lack of food and sanitary papers as prescribed by local laws. This is for the safety and health of the public, he said, adding that the move will also help business owners avoid hefty expenses should food poisoning cases arise from the food they sell.He urged food outlets and carenderia operators who received notices from the city health office to comply with requirements to avoid penalties and closure.