In observance of National Food Safety Awareness Week
Angara seeks convergence of
government efforts in food safety

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today said that conscious and concerted government effort must be exerted in order to ensure food safety and promote consumer awareness in order to prevent another food safety scandal like the adulterated milk products from China.

"In these trying times, some Filipinos would compromise food safety and would rather risk on cheaper food products to stretch their meager budget. Now, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that affordability comes with safety," said Angara who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.

He added, "Government should ensure that all fronts are covered when it comes to food safety. Collaboration of agencies such as the Department of Health through Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs (BoC) and also Local Government Units should be maintained to ensure food safety."

The recent food safety crisis, involving melamine-tainted milk products from China, highlighted the need to modernize the BFAD wherein employees needed to work double time in order to hasten testing of products. Meanwhile, DTI and BoC had a hard time ensuring that banned products are not sold in the market.

"Filipino consumers, armed with adequate information and secured with proper regulatory atmosphere from the Government, could celebrate Christmas free from food safety concerns. Consumers, however, must be extra careful on what they buy and eat in this Yuletide season," added Angara.

The observance of National Food Safety Week is instituted to mainstream and inculcate the importance of food safety in nation-building and maintaining a healthy country.

Angara filed a Senate Resolution at the onset of the China Milk crisis which led the government to immediately ban milk products from China to avoid possible health hazards.