Contributed by Jerwin R. Vianzon – DOST Bataan
CITY of BALANGA, Bataan –The Bataan Provincial Science and Technology Center of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region III, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bataan, conducted the Awareness Seminar on Packaging and Labeling to some 50 food manufacturing firms in the province last July 1 at Las Mariana Restaurant, Abucay, Bataan.
The activity aimed to introduce the packaging and labeling concepts in accord with existing statutory requirements such as the provisions in Republic Act No. 7394 or Consumer Act of the Philippines for labeling and fair packaging.
Moreover, the Department of Health (DOH) urges the manufacturers, re-packers, and distributors, among others, to comply with the mandatory label information through its Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Labeling of Prepacked Food Products.
Mandatory label information includes Product Name; Brand Name and/or Trademark; Complete List of Ingredients; Net Contents; Name and Address of Manufacturer, Packer, Re-packer, Importer, Trader and Distributor; Lot Identification Code; Storage Condition; Expiry or Expiration Date; Food Allergen Information; Direction/Instruction(s) for Use; and Nutrition Facts/Nutrition Information/Nutritive Value.
Enterprises may avail the technical services of DTI and DOST in the development of appropriate packaging and label design for their products.
