Food handlers at UPV Miagao learn safety skills

Food safety training is critical to preventing foodborne illnesses. Global data shows that foodborne illnesses affect 1 in 10 people each year.

In the continuing effort to safeguard the UPV community in Miagao from foodborne illnesses, the UPV Food and Facilities Management Committee (FFMC) conducted a food safety training titled “Food Safety Bites: Food Safety Training for Food Handlers of UPV Miagao Campus.” The training was held on March 24, 2026 at the Administration Building conference room.

Mary Lyncen Fernandez, Head of the Auxiliary Services Office, recalled that two previous trainings were organized by the Committee on Food Safety on August 30, 2022, and February 5, 2024, for food kiosk operators and food vendors. Dr. Johannes Magpusao, the current Dean of the School of Technology (SOTECH), served as resource person in both trainings. She also informed the participants, comprising of food kiosk owners, their staff, and the ambulant vendors, to grab this opportunity to be trained by experts on food safety.

Dean Magpusao gave an overview of the three primary contaminants that cause foodborne illness: biological, chemical, and physical hazards. Biological contaminants (bacteria, viruses, parasites) are the leading cause, followed by chemical hazards (cleaners, pesticides), and physical hazards (foreign objects like glass or hair), which can cause illness or injury.

The training was divided into four sessions with the following topics and their speakers:

1. Facilities – Jin Chasina F. Decafe, Science Research Assistant, School of Technology,
2. Personal Hygiene – Johanna C. Jamero, faculty member, School of Technology
3. Cleaning and Sanitation – John Rey M. Molavin, Science Research Assistant, School of Technology, and
4. Process Control – Dean Magpusao, School of Technolog

Dr. Magpusao, along with a team from SOTECH and the UPV Regional Research Center, put together a food safety manual for micro, small, and medium enterprises. The manual was launched on June 7, 2024. It is called “Food Safety and Community: A Practical Guide to Food Safety for Food Servers of MSMEs in Urbanized Areas of Iloilo.

A pre-test and a post-test were also conducted with the participants, who will also be receiving a certificate of participation in the training.

Ms. Rose T. Mueda, former Chair of FFMC, closed the training by reminding the participants to apply what they had learned on proper handling, sanitation, and temperature control, to increase efficiency, minimize food waste, and create a positive, safe, and professional work environment in UPV. (Source: ASO)