THE IMPORTANT and very timely issue on food safety and security was tackled by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) during the recently concluded National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) in a technology forum which was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Metro Manila.
As we all probably know, food safety has been a very critical issue in the country.
Those documented cases of double dead pork, bird flu, fruit fly, and other food contamination have been continuously pestering the farmers and the consumers.
As the range of products become available in the local market, the consumers are also exposed to a variety of possible food safety and health issues.
During the forum, Dr. Isabelita M. Pabuayon of the College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines, Los Baños (UPLB-CEM), presented the topic titled “Are we ready for the food safety regime? Evidence for the commodity stakeholders.”
According to Pabuayon, the topic intends to strengthen the food safety initiatives among PCAARRD’s different commodity stakeholders.
The forum also provided a deeper understanding on the effects of unsafe food to the consumers due to lack of system and protocols in food processing and poor product handling.
At the same time, PCAARRD’s commodity stakeholders were assessed on their ability to ensure safe and quality goods according to three determinants: Readiness to accept and take out actions in compliance with food safety standards; Awareness: knowledge or perception of current food safety concepts, policies, and good practices or standards; and Capacity to meet requirements in terms of individual (personal characteristic such as education/training) procedure and resources (facilities and equipment).
Republic Act (RA) No. 10611, also known as the Food Safety Act of 2013, has been crafted to counter cases of poor quality food products from crops, fisheries, livestock, and poultry commodities that are being distributed in the market.
Different challenges rooting from the farms to the market have been troubling the consumers as well as smearing the food safety integrity of the country.
Pabuayon concluded that there was higher food safety readiness among the products being exported, products involved in processing, and among organizations with accredited establishments.
However, there was a lower readiness among local traders who are engaging in the buy-and-sell of different commodities.
She also mentioned that the size of a farm, scale of operation, and business experience are important factors in assessing the readiness of the stakeholders.
Among many others, this research recommend support to stakeholder’s membership in cooperative and business registration; capacity building activities for producers, traders, and processors; strengthening inspection and monitoring; developing an incentive system for those who comply with the standards; development and adoption of embraceable system; and continuous conduct of consumer education.
Although ensuring food safety is a challenging process, its long-term effects will greatly benefit both the consumers and the food industry sectors.
PCAARRD, through the Technology Forum, supports its various commodity stakeholders to make food safety possible. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
