Amidst the ongoing pandemic, people tend to order their food online from restaurants and have it delivered to their homes.

With the country still struggling with the health crisis, it is crucial to ensure that the cooked and fresh meals purchased online are safe to eat.

“Online food delivery is ‘on the go,’ and because of its convenience, it has dramatically boomed during this pandemic,” the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) said.

“Also, you can easily order food through various online applications without risking your health. However, be critical when buying cooked or fresh foods through online platforms to avoid contracting food-borne diseases,” it added.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), food-borne diseases are caused by contamination of food and food products and can occur at any stage of the food production, delivery, and consumption chain.

Common symptoms of food-borne illness are diarrhea and/or vomiting that typically last from one to seven days.

To avoid this, the DOST-FNRI shared some safety tips when ordering food online.

For consumers:

• Buy cooked foods from well-known food businesses. Better if it has business and health permits.

• Be sure to wash your hands after accepting the food delivery.

• Provide a place in your home where foods purchased online can be stored.

• Transfer purchased foods online in a clean container, and throw away the packages especially if these are not recyclable or washable with soap and water.

• Reheat purchased cooked food to ensure its safety.

• Immediately consume purchased cooked food online. The food lasts only for two hours at room temperature.

For online business owners:

• Ensure food safety of the food prepared and sold to customers.

• Practice standard food safety practices like washing of hands, wearing a face mask, a hair net, and an apron. Use only fresh ingredients and clean used utensils thoroughly.