By Kenneth Marcos 
Students, dairy farmers, and food technologists gathered at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, for a special seminar promoting food safety and quality in dairy production. The event, held on October 27, 2025, was part of the national observance of Food Safety Awareness Week.
The seminar was jointly organized by the MMSU College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development–Department of Food Science and Technology (CAFSD-DFST) and the National Dairy Authority (NDA)–Regional Dairy Farmers and Livelihood Center for Northern Luzon. With the theme “Food Safety: Putting Science into Action,” the program aimed to strengthen understanding of food safety practices among local dairy producers, students, and future food professionals.
Participants attended a series of technical discussions focusing on important topics such as the basics of food safety, current trends in food production, the flow of food from farm to table, and innovations in the dairy industry. The session “Clean Label Dairy: Unlocking Simplicity and Quality in Every Sip” highlighted how dairy products can be both safe and natural without compromising taste and quality. Another session, “Keeping Dairy Safe: The Role of a Food Technologist,” emphasized the vital role of science in ensuring that milk and dairy products are safe for consumption.
Among the speakers were DFST faculty members Assistant Professor Efren Renon Jr. and Assistant Professor Buchard Cutin, along with NDA food safety and quality assurance officers Jenny Cabading, Rica Bianca M. Casela, and Camille Gertrude L. Agarma. The speakers shared both scientific insights and practical advice that local producers can apply in handling and processing milk products to meet national food safety standards.
The National Dairy Authority said that activities like this are part of its continuing efforts to support local dairy farmers in adopting good manufacturing and hygienic practices. By improving safety protocols in milk production, the NDA hopes to increase consumer confidence in locally produced dairy and help boost the country’s dairy self-sufficiency.
MMSU officials, meanwhile, stressed the importance of training the next generation of food technologists and agripreneurs to apply scientific principles in real-world food production. They noted that safe and high-quality dairy products not only protect public health but also contribute to the growth of rural livelihoods and the local economy.
As the seminar concluded, participants were reminded that food safety begins with awareness, discipline, and a shared responsibility between producers and consumers. Ensuring clean and safe food, they said, is a key step toward a healthier and more sustainable Philippines.
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