BUTUAN CITY – To augment the region’s growing food production industry, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Caraga spearheads the expansion of the Caraga Food Safety Team (CFST).

In line with this, a series of online Trainers’ Training on Food Safety is conducted from July 14, 2020 and will run for 8 sessions until July 29, 2020. This is to capacitate and nurture more experts in the field of food safety. Development Management Officer I Florita G. Lozada and Administrative Officer II Ligaya M. Antiola from the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 are among the 36 participants from the different government agencies. DMO II/Food Safety focal Ms. Paula Mae A. Creencia who is also a member of CFST joined the online training as a refresher course.

The first speaker, Engr. Andrea J. Cabonita, Director of Provincial Science and Technology Center – Agusan del Sur discussed the importance of Food Safety. She emphasized the role of food handlers in ensuring the protection and safety of its consumers. After this was the introduction of Good Manufacturing Practices which was presented by Science Research Specialist II Ms. Marie Kris Delarmente. She enumerated the programs for personal hygiene, proper building, and facilities, and equipment which covers sets of sanitation guidelines for food handlers in the physical and processing operation of a food plant to ensure a safe, wholesome, and quality product.

The training comprised three (3) modules at two hours per session. Module 1 focused on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) while the other modules include Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points and Food Safety Management System - ISO 22000.

The training is a timely undertaking as we are shifting to the new normal which demands the integration of additional food safety practices in the food preparation line. (with report from Paula Mae A. Creencia)