Jennifer C. Tilos
NEGROS
ORIENTAL, Nov. 22 (PIA) – Some 25
micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province have embarked on
packaging and label designing training recently in preparation for the global
market brought by the ASEAN economic integration.
The local entrepreneurs in food manufacturing
including the graphic designers and packaging supplier participated in the
seminar-workshop to improve the current packaging and labeling of the
manufacturing enterprises in the province.
Food Safety Team member Josie Elli of the
Department of Science and Technolog (DOST-7) said “a package is
not designed to last forever and must evolve continuously to keep pace with the
market and consumer tastes.”
“The purpose of this training is to improve the
current packaging of our products in order for us to be globally competitive.
Majority of customers patronize products that has better packaging and superior
packaging quality. So let’s all try to be open-minded and incorporate the
useful recommendations to our respective packaging,” Elli added.
Organized by the DOST-Negros Oriental,
the trainining is in cooperation with DOST-7 and Foundation
University.
Elli discussed packaging, label designing,
product-package interaction, food classification, deterioration and
preservation.
She also elaborated on mandatory labeling
requirements, graphic design, updates on food labeling, product
characteristics, establishment of packaging specifications and the influence of
packaging on product quality and food safety.
The local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to
understand the shelf life of the fod products, food allergen and
importance of food traceability.
Some products such as dried fish, malunggay
coffee, virgin coconut oil, cassava chips and calamansi juice
were demonstrated. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)