MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday urged food vendors to ensure and maintain proper food preparation and hygiene to avoid illnesses such as gastroenteritis and other food and water-borne diseases this warm and dry season.

This, following the hospitalization of at least eight individuals in Kidapawan City in Cotabato after experiencing stomach aches and vomiting over the weekend.

Patients say they felt ill after consuming halo-halo bought from a local food stall.

Halo-halo is a local snack composed of sweetened bananas, sweet potato, beans, jelly, milk, and shaved ice usually sold during the hot season.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa explained that improper storage of halo-halo ingredients could potentially lead to bacterial growth and infect consumers.

“If the amount of sugar isn’t enough and they’re left under the heat of the sun, bacteria can grow in them and become contaminated and cause gastroenteritis,” he said.

The source of ice and handling of milk products, Herbosa added, is also important.

“If it comes from an ice factory and the water used to make ice is not clean, filtered and potable, then that’s a problem. If the milk isn’t refrigerated, after several hours it will spoil. It should always come from the refrigerator.” 

A social media post by the local government of Kidapawan said the patients are now in stable condition. Samples of the halo-halo were also tested to determine what could have caused the illness.

The local chief executive has also been in touch with the halo-halo vendor.