Two bakeshops in Pangasinan have signed a technology licensing agreement (TLA) with the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) to adopt the latter's enhanced nutribun.
The DOST- Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC)- Pangasinan said the adopters of the enhanced nutribun technology are beneficiaries of assistance from DOST Region I under the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). They are Luis O. Sebastian of Louis Roy Bakeshop based in Mangatarem and Benedicto Planas of Planas Bakeshop and Store in Sual, both in the province of Pangasinan.
Under the SETUP, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are given technical and financial assistance to help improve their production and increase market competitiveness.
In 2020, the DOST-FNRI launched its enhanced nutribun, which is made with squash. It was in response to the need for more nutritious food products in support of the supplementary feeding program of the government during the community quarantine as stipulated in Department of Social Welfare and Development Memorandum Circular No. 12 Series of 2020.
The enhanced squash nutribun weights approximately 160 grams and contains 504 calories, 17.8 grams protein, 6.08 milligrams iron, and 244 micrograms (ug) of vitamin A.
In the last quarter of 2020, the DOST-FNRI announced that entrepreneurs can avail the technology of the enhanced nutribun free of charge as long as they are technically-capable to produce it commercially.
The DOST-FNRI also launched its new enhanced nutribun carrot variant on April 28.
The round-shaped enhanced carrot nutribun provides energy, protein, vitamin A, iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc in significant quantities recommended for young children. It has zero trans-fatty acids (or trans-fats) and has no cholesterol, the DOST-FNRI said.
Like squash variant, one serving of enhanced nutribun with carrots contains 500 kilocalories. it has 18 grams of protein, six milligrams of iron and 350 of vitamin A.
The DOST-PSTC said the two bakeshops underwent the prescribed process of technology adoption and were made to submit documents required by DOST-FNRI to ensure that the technology will be appropriately utilized.
"Moreover, a virtual ocular inspection of the adoptor’s production area was conducted and followed by a virtual Technology Transfer training on the production of the Enhanced Nutribun,” it said.
During the training, the adopters were briefed on food safety and good manufacturing processes as well as on the production of the enhanced nutribun.
The DOST-PSTC- Pangasinan vowed to continue monitoring the two bakeshops to ensure that their production of the enhanced nutribun complies with DOST-FNRI’s standards and provide them with the much- needed technical assistance.
Those parties who are interested to adopt the enhanced nutribun technology have been urged to visit the nearest DOST Office in their province.