DTI Relaunches Food Safety Program to Aid MSME Compliance

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reintroduced its flagship Food Connect Program to help more micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the food sector comply with regulatory requirements and improve product safety standards.

Spearheaded by DTI MIMAROPA in collaboration with the Philippine Trade Training Center (DTI-PTTC), the 2025 iteration of the program aims to increase the number of FDA-registered food business operators through intensive training and hands-on guidance.

A total of 28 MSMEs have signed up for Course 1, which began on March 31 and focuses on securing a License to Operate (LTO) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“DTI MIMAROPA is committed to building stronger food safety systems for our One Town, One Product Program-assisted MSMEs,” said Regional Director EnP. Amormio CJS Benter, CESE, during the program’s virtual launch.

“This allows our local food enterprises to compete more effectively in the domestic and global markets,” he added.

Course 1, which will run through the first week of May, is divided into three specialized tracks addressing FDA-LTO registration: awareness and documentation of food safety practices, sanitation standard operating procedures, and compliance with labeling and recall protocols.

Meanwhile, 25 MSMEs have registered for Course 2, which will be held from May 13 to 16 and centers on securing a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR).

Course 2 includes modules on shelf-life determination, process standardization, and FDA-CPR documentation requirements.

Each course includes one-on-one consultations, product testing and interpretation, and personalized mentoring to ensure enterprises meet regulatory standards efficiently.

DTI-PTTC Officer-in-Charge Fe Avila highlighted the program’s role in fostering regulatory readiness among MSMEs, many of which face resource and knowledge barriers when applying for FDA permits.

The Food Connect Program is part of the DTI’s broader strategy to improve competitiveness among MSMEs by aligning with global benchmarks for food safety and trade compliance.

The program also contributes to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those targeting poverty alleviation, health, economic growth, and sustainable production.

Since its last regional rollout in 2023, the Food Connect Program has successfully supported five MSMEs in obtaining their FDA-LTO and helped two others secure FDA-CPR certification.

DTI data show that proper FDA certification opens up wider market access for MSMEs, enhances consumer trust, and ensures product quality and traceability across the supply chain.

The DTI’s continued investment in regulatory capacity building comes amid a growing demand for safe and compliant food products, both domestically and in export markets.

With the Philippines’ food industry valued in the hundreds of billions of pesos, ensuring MSMEs can participate fully and legally in the sector is key to inclusive economic development.