LOS BAŇOS, Laguna – The Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) office in Calabarzon will air more webinars on food safety this year as part of its science and technology (S&T) ecosystem projects to reach out to participants through the department’s thrust on “Science for the People”.
In a report on Thursday, DOST-Calabarzon, through its Public Affairs, Relations and Communications Unit (PARCU) Technical Services Division, said the webinars could be accessed for free through its social media platforms Webinar and Technology Channel, or WATCH, and official website at www.region4a.dost.gov.ph.
PARCU said the regional S&T agency aired on Feb. 13 two free webinars on food safety, touching on “Food Allergens and Globalization: Where we are now?” and “Allergen Control Program”. More topics are set to be aired in their webinar channel.
The DOST office also said that the food safety webinars, in partnership with Glenwood Technologies, were successful in enlisting some 380 participants, the highest number of participants to date, who received their electronic Certificates of Participation.
Ana Evangelista of the Food Safety team of DOST-Calabarzon attributed the huge turnout of webinar participants to the vital topics, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the manufacturing sector, corporations, and the academe.
Evangelista said the food industry sector considered the webinar topics on food safety as very vital since food products, if not handled properly, could be life-threatening and pose health risks among their food consumers and businesses.
The webinar participants included such food industries as Red Ribbon Bakeshop, Inc., Miguelitos International Corp., and San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp., as well as academic institutions, among them the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Isabela State University, Capiz State University, University of Saint La Salle-Bacolod, and University of the Philippines Los Banos.
Evangelista said the webinars also entertained inquiries from the participants through the WATCH’s reply feature that enabled interactive discussions where participants, especially from the food sector, were enthusiastic and inquisitive during the webinars.
The inquiries ranged from theoretical, such as the country’s current state in terms of food allergen control to the more scientific discussions on the difference between allergens and sensitizing agents.
Other interactive discussions also tackled the practical approach, such as on best practices in controlling food allergen besides labeling, application of the labeling procedures pursuant to Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013.
The law aims to strengthen the country’s food safety regulatory system to protect consumer health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products, and for other purposes. (PNA)
