MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public on Monday about the risks of food poisoning as “Ate Shawie,” the practice of taking leftover food from gatherings, makes a return this Christmas season.

In a Malacañang forum, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo cautioned the public against taking home leftover food, advising that food prepared during the season should be fresh. 

He also said that the public should ensure the meat is not “double dead.”

“Bago ho magbalut-balot, una sa lahat iyong pagkain na hinahanda natin sa mga handaan natin dapat galing sa sariwang luto, mas maganda kung mga gulay at prutas ay sariwa at nahugasan, ang karne ay hindi double dead ‘no,” he said.

The public should only purchase meat, fish, and seafood from licensed vendors with a National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) mark to ensure the freshness and quality of the products, preventing spoilage, he said.

He recommended choosing dry items like grilled or fried food, as they are less likely to spoil. He also cautioned against leaving food out for more than two hours, particularly items with sauces, which can quickly spoil and harbor bacteria.

The official shared practical cooking tips to avoid food poisoning during holiday gatherings including timing food preparation so that it’s ready closer to meal time, ensuring that sauces, especially cream or tomato-based ones, are added just before serving.

 He also recommended covering and refrigerating leftover food, especially after Noche Buena, once it has cooled slightly to prevent bacteria growth. 

Aside from food preparation tips, the public was also advised to consume food in moderation during the holiday season to help prevent non-communicable diseases.

“Ang mga sakit na nangyayari iyan ‘yung ating una; iyong altapresyon iyong high blood pressure, kapag masyado kasing maalat iyong ating kinakain, iyong asin na pumapasok sa katawan natin sa pamamagitan ng pagkain nagiging sanhi iyan para iyong presyon ng dugo ay tumaas,” he said.

Domingo explained that high blood pressure, especially in older individuals, can lead to serious health issues. If left unchecked, it can cause a stroke due to a ruptured blood vessel in the brain or a heart attack, as fatty foods can clog arteries, forming cholesterol plaques that obstruct blood flow to the heart.

Domingo noted that to prevent health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases, it is important to avoid foods that are high in salt, fat, and sugar. 

These can contribute to conditions like obesity, heart problems, and other related diseases, according to the official.

Latest tally from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that ischaemic heart diseases were the leading cause of death in the Philippines from January to July 2023, accounting for 65,346 cases or 19.1 percent of total deaths. This is consistent with the top causes of death during the same period in 2022, where ischaemic heart diseases also ranked first.