Boosting Food Safety in Romblon: DOST’s Initiative for a Healthier Community

October 12, 2023

ODIONGAN, Romblon – With an increasing focus on promoting safe food handling and preparation, the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is ramping up its efforts to educate local eateries and small food enterprises.

Marcelina Servañez, the S&T Director for DOST-Romblon, detailed in a recent interview that a new initiative, the Food Establishment Inspection and Grading System (FEIGS), was trialed in the municipalities of Odiongan and Romblon. This is in line with the province’s aim to elevate food safety standards, considering the surge in tourism.

The project entails equipping local small-scale restaurants and roving food vendors with specialized tools to maintain sanitation standards and avoid food spoilage.

Highlighting the importance of this pilot, Servañez pointed out that Odiongan and Romblon were chosen given their status as bustling commercial and tourism hubs in the province. Through FEIGS, the goal is to mitigate the risk of food-borne illnesses, allowing for a potential reallocation of government health funds towards enhancing local livelihoods.

“Our mission is twofold: to guide patrons in making informed dining choices and to cater to our growing tourist population by ensuring they experience safe and hygienic culinary delights. We’re earnestly urging local food businesses to adhere to health protocols,” Servañez commented.

To bolster these efforts, a dedicated ‘food safety team’ has been formed comprising DOST provincial staff and academic experts from Romblon State University.

FEIGS is an extension of DOST’s broader Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

Shedding more light on the project, May Angelica Famini, a DOST-PSTC research specialist, shared that 15 Odiongan eateries and several food vendors in Romblon participated in the FEIGS trial. Before the provision of food service tools, the business owners undertook a three-month food safety curriculum, followed by evaluations.

“Participants were graded from ‘A’ to ‘D’ based on their training performance. Their establishments underwent three rounds of scrutiny, with the final one being unannounced,” Famini informed the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Top-performing eateries were rewarded with premium food warmers-holders, while all were furnished with utensil sterilizers and safety attire kits, including essentials like aprons and hairnets.

On the move, Famini also mentioned that street food vendors were equipped with stainless steel carts designed to preserve food quality.

Closing, Famini attributed the food safety initiative’s inspiration to DOST-Caraga’s pioneering efforts, which was subsequently adopted by DOST-Mimaropa in May 2023.

For additional information and further reading, refer to the original article here.