By John Maico M. Hernandez
BATANGAS City — FARMERS and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in this city were trained on food safety in a training on current Good Manufacturing Practices conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas in partnership with the Office of Batangas City Agriculture held at the Office of the City Veterinary and Agricultural Services Compound, Bolbok, here, May 23.
Participating farmers and MSMEs are assisted by the City Agriculture Office and are currently producing crops and processed goods derived from crops. Hence, to ensure their compliance with food safety requirements, DOST-Batangas provided them with training.
The training was divided into basic food hygiene (BFH) and food safety hazards (FSH). The discussion 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 and activities were also carried out to evaluate the participants’ acquired knowledge.
Mr. John Maico M. Hernandez, a DOST-CALABARZON Food Safety Team member, was the resource speaker during the training. The DOST Unified Food Safety Training Modules were the reference materials used during the training.| – BNN
