CALAUAN, LAGUNA — The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI-Laguna), through Negosyo Center Calauan, in partnership with Calamba Manpower Development Center (CMDC) conducted a seminar on basic food safety and packaging and labelling requirements last March 17, 2023 at City Hall, Calamba City, Laguna. The event was attended by seventy (70) graduates from qualifications in the bread and pastry production, culinary arts, and food and beverage services.
Ms. Celina Manabat, Department Head of City Social Services Department, gave the welcome remarks and thanked DTI-Laguna for its continuous support on their activities. Ms. Jean Kristine Torres, the Resource Person for the event, was introduced afterwards. Torres begun by explaining what food safety is. She then enumerated the reasons why it is important to address it and the sources of harmful matters in food. The types of hazards were then discussed one by one: physical, chemical, and microbiological. Ways on preventing the aforementioned hazards were expounded. Torres reiterated that not all microorganisms are harmful and that some are beneficial and used on manufacturing food products. Keys to safer foods were mentioned. Participants were reminded that food safety is everyone’s business — that is, you should prepare food as if your loved ones are the ones who are going to consume it.
The next part of the program was about packaging and labelling requirements. Definition of label and the rules and regulations on labelling were first mentioned. Torres then gave the list of labelling requirements based on administrative order of Department of Health, citing example on every information required. She also stated the exemptions on nutrition labelling. Lastly, misleading declarations o representations on labelling as well as other requirements for certain food products were tackled.
Mr. Leonardo dela Cruz Jr., Senior Manpower Development Officer, expressed his gratitude on the agency’s support on their activities and said that the topics discussed will be of great help to the attendees who are engaged in food industry and are planning to have food business in the future. ♦
Date of Release: 24 March 2023