CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10, in partnership with the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) and City Economic Enterprise Department (CEED), conducted a Food Safety Training and provided Hygiene Kits to 100 food vendors in Cogon and Carmen public markets, Cagayan de Oro City, April 20-21, 2022.

Food Safety is the assurance that the food will not cause adverse health effects to the consumers when prepared and eaten according to its intended use.

"One of the objectives of the event is to capacitate the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by increasing their practical knowledge and skills in Food Safety to address the current needs for food hygiene in the new normal," said Ms. Hope Bañas, Food Safety Trainer and member of the DOST-10 Food Safety Team.

According to the World Health Organization, "Foodborne diseases are caused by contamination of food and occur at any stage of the food production, delivery and consumption chain."

"An estimated 600 million – almost 1 in 10 people in the world – fall ill after eating contaminated food and 420 000 die every year, resulting in the loss of 33 million healthy life years," World Health Organization added.

The participants received Hygiene Kits after the training to immediately apply food safety in their food stalls. The kits include Buckets, Dippers, Disinfecting Bleach, Towels, Hand Soaps, Dishwashing Liquid, Gloves, Spray Bottles, Sponges, and Food Safety Guide.

"Dako og tabang. Makabalo ka kung unsay buhaton para limpyo ang baligya. (This is a great help. Now we know what to do to sell hygienic and quality foods products)," said Bebslin Maghanoy, one of the training participants.

With this initiative, DOST-10 hopes to promote awareness and enhance the food safety in the region. (DOST-10/PIA-10)