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 (JKLTorres, DTI-Laguna).PR
