Quality and safety in every bottle

MANILA, Philippines - How can you tell if your patis has the safety and quality you look for? Check the labels and the ingredients.

Tentay Patis has been the keeper of patis-making in the country for more than 60 years. In 1949, Ruperta Javier, or Aling Tentay, as she was fondly called, came upon the ancient art right at her own backyard in Navotas. Since then, Tentay Patis has become a permanent presence in kitchens and family meals.

“Tentay Patis is guaranteed 100 percent pure and all natural,” says Velia J. Cruz, president of Tentay Food Sauces, Inc. and Aling Tentay’s daughter.

She maintains the standards set by her mom and instills the same values. “We keep to tradition and make use of mackerel extract and salt only – these are the two ingredients. Nothing else,” she says of the 100 percent natural fish essence. The freshest fish and salt are combined thoroughly and fermented for one year.

There are other telltale signs for quality patis. Make sure there are no sediments at the bottom of the bottle, and look for a clear, amber-like color – close to good whiskey or sherry. If the color is too brown or muddy, this could be a low-grade patis which has not been properly fermented. It could also mean that the product has been sitting too long in store shelves.

Tentay Patis believes in using the natural fermentation process to keep the aromatic and full-flavored quality of the condiments consistent. This way, the same clear beautiful amber-colored liquid and savory concoction is in every bottle.

“Quality and safety is always present in the way we do things,” says Cruz. She shares that the Tentay plant is located strategically near the Navotas fish port area where they harvest the freshest fish. Tentay Food Sauces Inc. (TFSI) makes use of automated processes under a hygienic work environment to ensure safety.

The freshest catch is always used for the sauce making. The correct temperature during transportation is applied to maintain fish freshness. Containers and plant facilities are cleaned and sanitized prior to use. Most importantly, the fish handlers use the right safety and hygienic equipment when handling the products during the entire process.

Tentay Patis complies with the country’s international food safety standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and with the standards set by export markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, Middle East and Europe.