The Department of Health (DOH) cautioned the public in buying and drinking samalamig or cold flavored beverages in the local streets this Summer season.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, DOH officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergiere noted that samalamig like juice and gulaman are not "pure water" that the body needs.
"Kung maari po ay magbaon tayo ng ating inumin. Ang pangunahin na kailangan natin kapag tayo ay nasa tindi ng init ng araw ay tubig," she said.
Vergeire also reminded the samalamig sellers to be thoroughly careful in preparing the flavored drinks.
"Sana po, amin pong pinapalaahanan na siguraduhin natin na malinis ang ating tubig na pinagkukunan natin para ipagtimpla dito sa binebenta natin," she said.
The DOH OIC also said that the ice tubes to be used for the drinks should be clean.
"Kailangan ugaliin na hinuhugasan at siguraduhin na malinis ang pinaggalingan," she added.
Vergeire appealed to local government units (LGUs) to direct its sanitation officers to monitor the selling of samalamig to prevent the public to experience gastrointestinal diseases.
