Food handlers undergo training on ‘halal’ system

HALAL SYSTEM --- Dr. Robert Malcontento, Cotabato City veterinarian, explains to guests last August 16 the modern equipment of Cotabato City’s halal slaughterhouse, the first-ever to operate in the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Cotabato CIO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’) Click the photo abofve to read more.....

COTABATO CITY  --- The city government on conducted last August 16 the first Halal Assurance System Training to ensure that food served to the public by restaurants and hotel owners adhere to the Islamic law, a city official said.

The training was attended by about 30 hotel and restaurant owners, fast-food operators, bakeshop owners, and food caterers with business operating in this city.

Abdulatif Sangcupan, president and chief executive officer of the Halal Development Institute of the Philippines, Inc., said three factors should be considered before food establishments are classified as halal-certified entities.

“First, the people handling the food; second, the facilities being used; and third, the product,” he said.

Sangcupan also discussed to the food managers the 11 criteria before a food establishment is considered to have the Halal Assurance Management System.

“These are policy, halal management team, education and training, material, products, facilities and equipment, procedures for critical activities, traceability, procedures for non-conformity or products (that) do not meet the requirements, internal audit, and management review,” he said.

City administrator Dr. Danda Juanday said it has been the city government’s vision to be the halal hub in Central Mindanao as it already has a halal slaughterhouse, the first in the country, and halal food that also invites tourists to partake. (Edwin Fernandez, PNA – Cotabato / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)