Participants from the different government agencies successfully completed the first Module of the online Trainers’ Training on Food Safety which was conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Caraga.
BUTUAN CITY – After three weeks of training, more than 30 participants from the different government agencies successfully completed the first Module of the online Trainers’ Training on Food Safety which was conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Caraga.
Among them are Development Management Officer I Florita G. Lozada and Administrative Officer II Ligaya M. Antiola of the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13.
Module 1 which focused on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) was conducted last July 14 until July 29, 2020 and run for 8 sessions at 2 hours per session. Among the topics discussed were Introduction to Food Safety and GMP; Importance of proper handwashing and personal hygiene; Food preparation design and facilities; and, Food Safety hazards.
Engr. Gladys Mae B. Yeke discussed the topic on Cross-Contamination which is known as one of the major causes of food poisoning. She enumerated the measures in preventing the transfer of biological or chemical contaminants to food products from raw foods, food handlers and food processing equipment.
Other topics include Food contact surfaces, Raw material, Pest control, Product recall, GMP documentation and Food Safety in the “new normal.” Completing the pool of Resource Persons were Engr. Noel M. Ajoc, Engr. Andrea J. Cabonita, Ph.D., Ms. Caressa Leanne V. Lim, and Ms. Marie Kris P. Delarmente, and Ms. Jennifer J. Dejarme, all of DOST.
DOST Regional Director Dominga D. Mallonga encouraged the potential CFST members to use the knowledge gained from the training not just for personal advancement but to share it with everyone because there is a need to ensure the people in Caraga that the food we prepare is safe. “Food safety is everyone’s responsibility. We need to prevent food-borne disease and food poisoning,” Mallonga added.
The trainers’ training primarily aimed to produce experts to compose the 4th batch of the Caraga Food Safety Team (CFST) members. Since its creation in 2008, CFST has been providing technical assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through consultation services and trainings. (with the report of Ligaya Antiola)