By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY—Around 22 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs mostly composed of street food vendors in the province successfully underwent a two-day training on food safety and basic food hygiene on October 28-29, 2019 at the Capitol auditorium.
Hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Edison Natividad, head of the Small and Medium Enterprise Office under the provincial government said the activity “aims to protect consumers and to ensure food handlers are aware of the basic know how on handling food business.”
In time for the celebration of the consumer welfare month in October, the DOST continues to partner with various local government units in the province to emphasizes the importance of ensuring food safety standards for consumers.
After the series of lectures, the participants also underwent a paper and pencil examination prior to giving their certificates of completion.
To observe food safety standards, the Food and Drugs Administration is now requiring food processors of longganisa and chicharon, among others to have their products undergo microbial testing and analysis in order for them to be granted a license to operate.
In Laoag City, all food vendors are required to wear their health certificates when selling their goods.
Even school canteen administrators also underwent the same training in support of the provincial government’s effort to promote health and sanitation in the province.