The public must wash fruits and vegetables covered with ash from Taal Volcano before consuming them, a Department of Health official said yesterday.
While eating fish from Taal Lake is discouraged as a safety precaution, Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo assured that fruits and vegetables are safe for human consumption as long as the ash is washed away.
“Wala pong problema ‘yun basta hugasan lang ‘yun ‘no, ‘yung gulay at saka prutas na nalagyan ng abo. Basta hugasan lang ng mahusay ‘yun at linisin puwedeng kainin ‘yun,” he said.
Domingo appealed to the public to refrain from eating fish from the Taal Lake until authorities declare the waters are safe.
He said the volcano has spewed toxic substances that may be hazardous to the safety of people and animals.
Domingo said the Department of Agriculture is expected to conduct further lake water tests to check the toxin level following the eruption.
“‘Yun pong buhay na hayop, ‘yung mga isda nakaka-ingest kasi sila ng toxins and until we are sure, we advise the public to please refrain, just for caution,” he said.
“We await the further test of DA and clearing na walang toxin level na nakakatakot doon sa tubig, huwag muna po sana ‘no, refrain lang tayo from taking itong mga isda,” he added. (Genalyn Kabiling)