DOST TRAINS CAMIGUIN CACAO PROCESSORS ON FOOD SAFETY

Mr. Troy Anthony A. Omol, Science Research Specialist I and member of the DOST-10 Food Safety Team served as a resource speaker on Basic Food Hygiene, Food Safety Hazards, and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Included in the topics shared were Basic Food Hygiene, Food Safety Hazards, and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Mr. Omol emphasized the importance of adhering to these practices to produce quality food products. “As food handlers, you must strictly adhere to the food safety standards to ensure your consumer’s safety. Remember that your consumers are the lifeblood of our business”, he added. Owner Julieta Dela Cerna expressed her gratitude during the training where she highlighted the relevance of the training in the continuous improvement of her production operation. She guaranteed the Department of Science and Technology that what her employees have learned will be strictly applied in their business. “Daku akong pasalamat sa DOST Camiguin sa ilahang gihatag nga higayun nga maka-conduct ug Food Safety Training sa akoang business. Kini daku kaayu nga tabang para sa pag improve sa proseso sa akong production area ug pag obligar sa akong mga trabahante kung unsa ka importante ang food safety sa pagbuhat ug tablea.” (I am grateful to DOST Camiguin for the opportunity they provided in lending their time to conduct Food Safety Training in my business. This highlighted the significance of improving the production process in my production area and in emphasizing the importance of food safety in the production of chocolate tablets.), she said. DOST Camiguin Director Joanne Katherine R. Banaag also shared a reminder to all the participants of the training. “Food Safety is everybody’s responsibility. All of us should be responsible for preventing foodborne illnesses across the supply chain. This will then assure the safety of the food supply, as a whole,” she said. The firm is also a beneficiary of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of DOST. Aside from the technology upgrading, DOST has also provided experts to help improve the productivity and efficiency of the firm through the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program (MPEX) of the Consultancy and Training Unit of the agency.

Mama Jitas Food Products has also recently partnered with the DOST Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) for the Venture Financing Program, where they have secured funding for the required raw and packaging materials relative to the surge of purchase orders they had received. Through these science and technology interventions, the firm has recorded 22% increase in sales, 20% increase in productivity. Through innovation, they have also produced Ice Sikwate (Choco drink) as their new product variant. Mama Jita’s has provided nine (9) employees in her production area and nine (9) employees on her farm totalling, eighteen (18) quality jobs since their upgrading in 2021. The DOST Camiguin continues to support MSMEs on the island through the SETUP program. Interested MSMEs may reach the office through visiting them at Government Center, Lakas, Poblacion, Mambajao or through their Facebook page, DOST Camiguin. (Junar O. Abian/DOST 10) #ScienceForThePeople #OneDOST4U About the picture Cam-FS1.jpeg: Participants and trainers pose for a photo after a two-day Food Safety Training at Mama Jita’s Food Processing Facility in Balbagon, Mambajao on January 24-25, 2024/ Cam-FS-2jpeg: DOST Camiguin Provincial S&T Director, Ms. Joanne Katherine Banaag shares an insightful message during the training. Cam-FS3.jpeg: DOST Camiguin staff and Food Safety member, Mr. Troy Omol, sharing his technical knowledge as the main speaker to the Camiguin cacao processors. Cam-FS4.jpeg: Participants of the Fodo Safety Training poses with DOST Camiguin Staff, Mr. Troy Omol and Mr. Junar Abian. About DOST-10 The Department of Science and Technology – Region 10 (DOST 10) envisions to be an effective and competent catalyst of inclusive development by providing world-class and innovative Science & Technology services in Region 10. Contact: Ms. Nova Belle C. Calotes, Science Research Specialist II (stpromotions@region10.dost.gov.ph, 09178579117) ###