COTABATO CITY—Four (4) identified cooperatives engaged in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) underwent Technology Training on food safety and Halal awareness provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) on Oct. 26-28, at Pagana Kutawato Restaurant in the city.
The training aimed to capacitate Technology Transfer and Commercialization Program (TTCP) beneficiaries with knowledge, understanding, and adherence to food safety, current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Halal compliance.
It is also one of the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that MSMEs and cooperatives must undergo to acquire the FDA license to operate.
The four identified cooperatives were recipients of the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises – Upgrading Program (MSMEs-Up) and Science and Technology Livelihood Assistance Program (STLAP) under the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Program (TTCP) of the Ministry.
These MSMEs-Up beneficiaries are those who have an existing business that needs upgrading or more development and licensing assistance, while STLAP beneficiaries are those who are newly engaged in business with products that need more assistance in product packaging and labeling. Moreover, other technology interventions in their production lines, such as processing equipment and licensing assistance, are also provided.
The recipients under MSMEs-Up were MSR Enterprises, Yasmin Salabat, Emy’s Food Products, while the recipient under STLAP was Mhanies Food Product. They are all engaged in food manufacturing such as coffee in teabag making, “bagoong” making, ginger and turmeric processing, food processed products, and native delicacies.
These cooperatives will also be given processing equipment that would help and speed up the processing and production of their raw materials.
Furthermore, MOST continues its efforts to provide technology training and other technology intervention for the cooperatives, associations, sole proprietors to support and upgrade their production lines, receive more profit in their business, and assist them in complying with CGMP, HACCP, and Halal requirements. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
