By Dhel Nazario
The Department of Science and Technology-lndustrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) is looking to improve the RTE Arroz Caldo, a ready-to-eat product currently used as relief goods.
Department of Science and Technology through the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI Official Facebook Page / MANILA BULLETIN)
Plans to pursue product development plans on RTE Arroz Caldo have been discussed by ITDI-Technological Services Division Chief Nelia Elisa C. Florendo and Milagros G. Bagaporo, Plant Manager of Kai-Anya Food, Inc.
A licensed producer of ITDI since 2015, Kai-Anya plans include product improvement/ reformulation, packaging system and design integration, production expansion, and market positioning through Halal certification. The possibility of making the product visible in supermarkets is also being eyed.
Bagaporo, together with supervisor Marvin N. Malasa, expressed eagerness and interest to market a more palatable and nutritious RTE Arroz Caldo, and are now seeking the assistance of ITDI’s Packaging Technology and Technological Services Divisions.
They are also aiming to increase the volume of production. To do this, Kai Anya is currently building a new facility.
Furthermore, a newly approved financial assistance from DOST’s Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) has enabled it to acquire a water retort, a new addition to their line of production equipment. Presently, product packaging is done through a private toll packing facility.
Packed in stand-up retort pouches, RTE Arroz Caldo is handy and can be eaten without water or drinkables, and is good for consumption for one year.
Currently this product is produced and sold by Kai-Anya Food, Inc. to the Department of Social Welfare Development which distributes it as emergency relief goods for victims of disasters/calamaties in the country.