Hand in Hand: DTI Laguna and DOST CALABARZON collaborate on Food Safety Standards and Basic Food Handling Practices

The Department of Trade and Industry, Laguna (DTI-Laguna) hosted the “Food Safety Standards and Basic Food Handling Practices” seminar with the Department of Science and Technology CALABARZON (DOST-CALABARZON) as its invited presenter. Over 50 MSMEs who are inclined in the food service and manufacturing industry gathered at the Multipurpose Hall of the Municipality of Los Baños on April 24, 2018.

With high hopes of educating and helping the food manufacturers, Ms. Miladie D. Peñaloza-Peñarubia, the Business Councilor of Negosyo Center-Los Baños and DTI Laguna, hosted and supervised the said program. The participants were also engaged into fun activities and lectures given by Ms. Anna Rina B. Evangelista, Science Research Analyst from DOST-CALABARZON. “Food Safety is a shared responsibility”, Ms. Evangelista highlighted as she imparted the different food safety practices throughout her discussion. Market vendors, restaurateurs, and even online sellers were taught with the topics related to the potential hazards to food safety, pathogens and their effects to health, food contamination, and safe food handling practices. According to Ms. Evangelista, the knowledge and practices that she discussed are not only applicable to the goods they manufacture, but also to the food that they prepare in their own homes. 

 Ms. Peñarubia expressed her delight with the turn out of the seminar. She also thanked the participants who were very eager and attentive throughout the event. The participants were also satisfied on how the seminar was conducted. Ms. Evalyn Alforja, owner of a chili business in Los Baños, undeniably remarked the said seminar a successful one in which she learned additional interesting knowledge. Ms. Jenifer Ramos from Bacoor, Cavite, also shared that she is now aware of the possible risks if ever the production process was not done properly. Glad of receiving positive remarks from the participants, the offices of DTI-Laguna and DOST-CALABARZON look forward to conducting other food safety seminars in the near future. 

 (Ronda Balita/Dannah Jean C. Mendoza)