REGIONAL science and technology department on Tuesday conducted a food safety webinar to 30 food online sellers in Camiguin with the increasing number of selling online due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“Food Safety is the foremost responsibility of food business operators and key government agencies,” DOST-Camiguin provincial head Miriam Awayan–De La Plaza said.
De La Plaza said the initiative of the agency is aligned with R.A 10611, known as Food Safety Act of 2013.
“This is an act to strengthen the food safety regulatory system in the country to protect consumer health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products, and for other purposes,” said De La Plaza.
This empowered not only the rights of consumers to have access with safe foods, but also, for the food workers to have a safe and healthy working environment, she added.
The webinar underscored topics on Basic Food Hygiene and Food Safety Hazards.
Discussing food hygiene, Joanne Katherine R. Banaag cites conditions and measures necessary to ensure the safety of food from production to consumption.
“No person should be employed in any food establishment without a health certificate issued by the local health authority,” Banaag said.
Meanwhile, De La Plaza discussed the different food safety hazards, the risks associated with food safety hazards, applicable control measures to minimize or prevent food safety hazards, and the fair trade practices and consumer protection.
“Foodborne diseases are caused by contamination of food and occur at any stage of the food production, delivery and consumption chain,” said DeLa Plaza adding, they can result from several forms of environmental contamination including pollution in water, soil or air, as well as unsafe food storage and processing.
While people prefer to buy goods online to prevent COVID-19 infection, DOST-Camiguin sought ways to aid consumers and sellers in fostering safe food selling and buying. (Recthie Tolinero/DOST Camiguin)
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