The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas conducted a food safety seminar for 15 beneficiaries of Odyssey Foundation Inc.’s (OFI) Negosyo Starter Project in Malvar, Batangas held at LNB Hall, MLGU Building, San Pioquinto, Malvar, Batangas, March 27.
In order to promote the socioeconomic well-being of the selected marginalized beneficiaries, OFI has developed the Negosyo Starter Project, which focuses on creating sustainable livelihood. It is a streetfood vending livelihood starter package that will help beneficiaries establish a sustainable self-employment. The package consists of products, tools, and equipment. The Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP) Group Foundation, Inc. based in Malvar, Batangas, also provided logistics support to the project beneficiaries. Hence, to ensure the beneficiaries’ food safety compliance, DOST-Batangas provided them with a seminar on Basic Food Hygiene (BFH) and Food Safety Hazards (FSH).
The seminar on BFH covered topics on sanitary permits, health certificates, quality and protection of food, primary production, establishment (design of facilities and equipment), training and competence, establishment maintenance, cleaning and disinfection, pest control, personal hygiene, control of the operation, product information and consumer awareness, and the special provisions of P.D. 856.
The categories of food hazards (physical, biological, and chemical), their implications for food processing, and the control mechanisms for food safety risks were covered under FSH. Diagnostic tests were also carried out to evaluate the participants’ acquired knowledge.
Throughout the discussion, the importance of following legal requirements for food handling and service operations was emphasized. In order to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses while serving the food, recipients were also reminded of the obligations and standards they must always observe.
Mr. John Maico M. Hernandez and Mr. Mhark Ellgine A. Libao, both members of the DOST-CALABARZON Food Safety Team (FST), served as resource speakers of the seminar. The DOST Unified Food Safety Training Modules were the reference materials used during the seminar.
Beneficiaries had the project contract signing with OFI, ICCP Group Foundation, Inc., and DOST-Batangas representatives, right after the seminar. Official turnover of the Negosyo Starter Project took place on March 27, 2023 at the CDO Foodsphere Inc.’s Manufacturing Plant, Brgy. Bulihan, Malvar, Batangas.|
