By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a set of guidelines to ensure the health and safety of farmers, fishers, and other frontliners of the country’s food sector during the quarantine period.
Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar (Department of Agriculture - Philippines / FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
DA secretary William Dar said the guidelines cover food safety practices in the production, handling, transportation, retail, and household preparation of farm and fishery commodities.
"While the COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and the primary transmission route is through person-to-person contact and not via food nor food packaging, it is imperative to observe food safety protocols to protect agri-fishery frontliners," Dar said.
The guidelines include good hygiene practices, cleaning and sanitation, storage, distribution and transport, and personal hygiene and fitness to reduce possible COVID-19 transmission among employees and maintain healthy business operations and work environment.
The DA recommended the implementation of biosecurity measures that will include a thorough identification and recording attendance; conduct of temperature checks prior to entry; and strict observance of physical distancing, proper handwashing, disinfection, and respiratory hygiene.
It also suggested the provision of refresher training or any applicable briefing about food hygiene principles; maintenance of healthy business operations and establishment of monitoring and reporting protocol; limited conduct of physical meetings and exploring other means of communications; and identification of workplace coordinator for COVID-19 concerns.
The agency also asked that farms adhere to applicable protocols like good agricultural practices, good animal husbandry practices, and good aquaculture practices; and that livestock, poultry, and aquaculture farms strictly implement biosecurity measures.
Wearing of applicable personal protective equipment and observance of appropriate physical distancing, handwashing, disinfection, and respiratory hygiene; and regular disinfection of food delivery vehicles will also be implemented.
The DA said consumers must observe thorough washing of fruits and vegetables with potable water before cooking and avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked animal products.
They should also properly clean and sanitize surfaces, utensils and cooking equipment.