Entrepreneurs told to comply with food safety standards

CEBU, Philippines - The food business sector of Cebu, if capacitated with food safety standards and good operation practices, could enhance their competitiveness in the market with the assurance of providing clean and safe food products to the public.

This has been the advocacy of the Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) that emphasizes the need for food entrepreneurs to comply with the food safety standards and good manufacturing practices that could allow them to improve their profit and attract more customers in the long run.

The government agency, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, recently conducted a two-day training program on food safety and good manufacturing practices among food manufacturers and handlers last October 17 and 18 held in Bogo City.

DTI-CPO Business Development Division chief Elias Tecson cited the importance for food processors and handlers to learn the fundamentals of food safety standards to keep their products always safe for their customers especially the tourists who come to visit their area.

He cited that these food enterprises contribute to the local economy and to the tourism image of a locality.

The training gathered around 35 attendees who are mostly caterers, makers of barbecue and lechon manok, owners of eateries and bakeshops, and manufacturers of native delicacies in Bogo.

The activity is designed to improve the food preparation and production process of food and to minimize instances of contamination or wastage.

Among the topics that were tackled during the program include proper handwashing, food hazards, prevention on cross-contamination, personal hygiene, food preparation, and pest control measures.

The training program on food safety and good manufacturing practices among the micro, small and medium enterprises is in line with the Local Regional Economic Development (LRED) approach initiated by DTI and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

This has been implemented in seven local government units (LGUs) in Cebu including Liloan, Argao, Barili, Naga City, Carcar City, Consolacion, and Bogo City. /JMD (FREEMAN)