By: LHEA V. SECULLES

Maddela, Quirino – The Department of Science and Technology Region 02 (DOST R02) collaborates with LGU-Maddela to enforce the application of Good Manufacturing Practices thru Food Safety Training on October 1, 2019.

DOST R02 intensifies its support to MSMEs by educating Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) thru conducting a food safety training. Food Safety starts from farm to fork. It requires due attention during harvest, transport, processing, storage and finally during food preparation and storage by consumers.

The training is graced by the Municipal Economic Enterprise Officer George Colebra and DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center – Director Lucio G. Calimag

“Ang kaligtasan ng consumer ay nasa kamay ng bawat vendor…Ang training na ito ang magpapa-alala sa inyo na maging aware sa proper food handling…” Colebra said in his message.

“This training will help you attain your goals and acquire more customers…Sa panahon ngayon ang customer ay mapanuri.. Number one requirements and kalinisan” Calimag added.

During the training Cagayan Valley Food Safet Team (CVFST) member Aileen C. Gonzales discussed on the Food Hazards and 5s. She emphasized the three classification of food hazard; Biological Hazard, Chemical Hazard and Physical Hazard. And to familiarize the participants on the mentioned hazard, Ms. Gonzales let the participants take an assessment exercise.

Meanwhile Ms. Daisy D. Simon, SRS-II of DOST PSTC Quirino lectures on Basic Food Hygiene and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). She reiterated the best practices to mitigate contamination and food borne illnesses. The use of proper PPEs and proper hand washing is also mentioned during her lecture.

To demonstrate some of the good practices mentioned, the team demonstrated thru processing meat. Ms. Lhea V. Seculles spearheads the training on meat processing with complete PPEs. Procedures and step-by-step process is showed.

For over 60 attendees participated in the training. Some are from the meat section group, Ambulant vendors, Street Food Vendors and Restaurant owner.

In the closing, Mr. George Coleda, gave his thanks and appreciation to the DOST 02 initiative to conduct the training. Also, encouraged everyone to apply the knowledge acquired for their own progress and success.