| 04 March 2010
PTTC Training Program Drives Food Exporters To Meet Global Standards
Relevant trainings offered by the national government continue to help food exporters meet international standards and ensure the acceptability of their products in foreign markets. The Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), DTI’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) training arm in pursuit of trade overseas, announced the implementation of a unique program that prepared food companies for alignment to ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System.
This was implemented in cooperation with international partners – European Commission, InWent GmbH, Consorzio Italia and Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation, Inc. (ASSIST) to raise the level of food safety awareness and compliance thru accreditation by the local food companies of international food standards. The assistance of PTTC to help exporters improve their products will not end with the conclusion of the said program.The PTTC will continuously develop relevant and up-to-date programs and extend mentoring and advisory services that will benefit the Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises in their quest for excellence in the global market. “The accomplishments of these ten (10) pilot companies will serve as models to other local food producers who will contribute in creating healthy and safe food products worldwide”, said Executive Director Adelaida Inton.
ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System is an international standard applied by any organization involved in the food chain directly or indirectly through elimination/reduction of hazards/risks in food production from raw materials production and sourcing, processing, and distribution to the consumers. With the emergence of food-borne diseases worldwide, importers, especially from the EU, prefer to buy products from ISO 22000 aligned or certified companies. Of the 10 participating companies in this program entitled ”Capacity Building Towards Advancing Philippine Food Safety Standards and Strengthening the Philippine-EU Cooperation on Food Trade”, five (5) of them are now ISO 22000:2005 certified with two (2) companies already aligned and ready for certification.
PTTC provided a series of interventions that fit the specific requirements of each company. Some of these are awareness seminars, trainers’ trainings, workshop/writeshop on standard alignment, traceability; consultancy and advisory services on establishment, documentation, implementation and systems upgrading; and 2nd party audits and surveillances of the system. The local trainers worked to address the concerns of the companies in complying with the system.
In 2008, Primex Coco Products, Inc. from Davao Sur was the first company to be certified. It has the newest and largest desiccated coconut plant in the world. Next was Tagum City’s Prime Fruits International, Inc, the country’s 1st ISO 22000 certified banana chips exporter to US, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East. Both companies successfully promoted their products and services under their ISO 22000:2005 certification in prestigious international food shows in Europe and the US on the same year. Their certification was renewed in 2009. In 2009, more companies followed, such as the Markenburg International Foods Corporation from Bulacan, a major supplier of marshmallows to Asia, Middle East and Europe as well as large corporations like Mega Fishing Corporation, which exports sardines in cans and pouches to US, Europe, Canada, Malaysia, and Central America. Also included is the Central Seafoods Corporation from Cebu, a major crab meat exporter to US, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong.
Already ISO 22000 aligned and ready for certification are Zesto Corporation, a juice drink firm and Permex Producer and Exporter Corporation, a tuna exporter. Permex Producer and Exporter Corporation decided to remain a British Retail Consortium (BRC) certified company for the meantime as per buyer requirement. “Our goal was to have these ten (10) pilot companies ISO 22000 aligned and we are pleased to exceed the expectations because 50% are now already certified”, said PTTC Executive Director Adelaida L. Inton. “This milestone led the companies to record an increased volume of their local and export sales, improved credibility in the export market, and booked significant contracts with foreign buyers”, she added.
The program prompted each company’s top management to re-assess their techno-managerial and communication skills, and to become effective tools in enhancing their business performance. Food safety management system is a complex process so managers have to fully understand the procedures and lead their respective food safety teams in all related activities. The Food Safety Management System Program may have ended but PTTC will continue to assist the 2 remaining companies which are to pass the certification requirements. They are: Navarro Foods International, Inc., a bottled crab paste exporter from Pampanga and Taguig City’s Moondish Foods Corporation, processor of canned taro leaves in coconut cream. Food products are major components of Philippine exports. In 2009 exports of Fruits and Vegetables; Fish, Shrimps, and Prawns; and Processed Food and Beverages amounted to about US$1.8 billion.
