BY
JENNIFER C. TILOS
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 3
(PIA) -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised local food
suppliers to prepare their food clean and safe to eat for human consumption
whether it’s fresh or processed.
FDA in-charge of
policy and planning, Dr. Oscar Gutierrez cited Republic Act No. 10611
otherwise known as “The Food Safety Act of 2013” , the law that
strengthens the food safety regulatory system in the country to protect
consumer health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products.
According to the
president of Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), Ed Du
the lack of sanitation is one of the problems among food handlers especially
those ambulant vendors operating without sanitation permit.
In a Kapihan sa PIA
forum both NOCCI and the Department of Science and Technology as
partners called on the micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs)
including local health officers to monitor and strengthen trade practices
with sound local regulation for consumer health and welfare.
R.A. 10611 or the Food
Safety Act of 2013 is a law that aims for a high level of food safety,
protection of human life and health in the production and consumption of food.
The law likewise aims
for the protection of consumer interests through fair practices in the food
trade.
Dr. Gutierrez
has also stressed that the Food Business Operators (FBOs) have the
responsibility to ensure that food satisfies the requirement of food law.
The Department of
Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) also play a prime
responsibility of ensuring food safety since FDA cannot accommodate everything
that concerns food safety, said Gutierrez.
The DA ensures the
food safety for fresh plants, animals, fisheries and aquaculture food
while the DOH including the FDA as one of the agencies under it, is
responsible for the safety of all food processing and product packaging
activities.
However, food
enterprises without sanitary permit are not allowed to operate under the local
government policy.
Gutierrez urged MSMEs
to acquire a license to operate and certificate of product registration with
FDA. This is necessary to improve the marketability and to compete in the ASEAN
economic integration. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental with reports from Sheena
Mae Diongco, intern)