The Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) unveiled on Tuesday, Sept. 21, a newly developed food inspection checklist (FIC) and grading system tools to ensure the compliance of food service establishments (FSEs) to food safety.
Collectively called as Food Safety Grading System Tools, the tools include the FIC, a Code of Standards (COS) for the FIC, and an Operations Manual (OP) for risk-based inspection of FSEs.
DOST-FNRI Director Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa said the newly developed tools is one of the results of the institute’s project that aims to strengthen the food safety compliance of FSEs through risk-based inspection.
It also seeks to develop guidelines for use by local government units, especially the sanitary inspectors, in maintaining food safety in the different local food establishments.
“We hope that these easy to use tools will serve as the mechanism to influence the culture of inspection of food establishment at the local and national levels,” she said.
The FIC is a standardized assessment tool to measure the compliance on safe food handling and operational requirements.
Based on a merit system, the checklist consists of 14 categories and 38 food safety criteria, as well as an action plan to ensure non-compliance are recorded and followed-up for appropriate action.
The COS, on the other hand, serves as an auxiliary tool for the FIC, which consists of requirements and standards that serves as an interpretative guideline for the FIC.
Lastly, the OP serves as a reference for sanitation inspectors with practical recommendations in performing risk-based inspections of FSEs.
“This formal launching of the DOST-FNRI Food Safety Grading System Tools celebrates the three years of labor to safeguard the health of the public and promote improvement in the food business sector,” DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said.
The DOST chief urged national government agencies and local government units to adopt the food safety grading tools.
The DOST-FNRI, he said, is willing to provide technical assistance and training needed to adopt the tools, as well as assist LGUs in preparing ordinances to be implemented in their respective localities.