Food Safety in The Philippines

Since living in the Philippines for good, I have tried many times food also offered by street vendors. No problems at all!

Since the last study of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST Regional Office XI) and its director Dr. Anthony Sales, street vendors seem to remain unaffected by this study. Several street vendors here in Davao said they are still enjoying the patronage of the locals. 

Meanwhile Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said banning in any parts of the city is not an option. Of course, go slow on street food, experts said after tests show germ traces. Authorities here cautioned the public against consuming street food in te wake of the results. People were told to wait until efforts to make street safe have been completed.

Already on January 12, 2012 food safety practitioners gathered for the multi-stakeholders forum of Promoting Food Industry Competitiveness Training  Program held at the Mariott Hotel in Pasay City.

During the forum, DOST XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony C. Sales was given the opportunity to discuss food safety initiatives in the region. Dr. Sales emphasized that there are three steps that must be pursued in dealing with food safety :

1. To have a Good Manufacturing Practices. The main issue here is that quality must be built in to a product not just tested in a product.

2. To conduct Hazard Analysis Critical Control points. This step deals with the safety of each product.

3. To have a food Safety Management System. This step is creating a food safety culture. 

After the forum Dr. Sales was optimistic, that the inputs of the stakeholders would be o great help in harmonizing initiatives towards achieving food safety in the whole Philippines. 

Dr. Sales also said, DOST would also lobby for the passage of an ordinance that would require vendors to submit samples of their food products before there are sold. He said a draft ordinance had been crafted with Davao councilor Pilar Praga, chair of the city's council's committee on trade, commerce and industry.]

Vendors, Sales said, should also be provided carts to keep their food safe. Each cart would cost from 10,000 till 20,000 Pesos and would be part of the DOST's assistancew program for street vendors.