February 5, 2007

 

Monterey Nursery now HACCP-certified

 

 

The nursery of Philippine meat processor Monterey was recently certified by the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System (HACCP) for its remarkable program in its premises, equipment, personnel, transportation, sanitation and pest control.
 
The HACCP is an international, preventive quality management system designed to identify and prevent any potential hazards in the food. For a food company to earn the right to implement the HACCP system, it must consistently pass the internationally accepted measures of good manufacturing practices and standard sanitation operating procedures.  

 

Dr Leo Obviar, live operations manager of Monterey Foods Corporation told the Philippine Star Daily that HACCP recognised the company's notable procedures in taking the meat from the nursery, to the plant and up to the abattoir.

 

Obviar said animals experience a lot of stress from the time they are separated from their mothers to be raised in meat farms as piglets go through between 28 to 84 days in terms of environment, socialization and diet.

 

This is why, he says, the period in the nursery is the most critical stage in growing piglets.

 

He said piglets in the Monterey Nursery are given an intensive program by giving proper vaccines and adequate transition to dry feed during growing period to avoid giving numerous medications.

 

Monterey is the first livestock operation in the Philippines to undergo the HACCP. It took the team more than a year to prepare the manuals, build structures that comply with the high standards of the certifying body, rehabilitate existing facilities, and to train workers.

 

Obviar said the company is looking forward in setting-up air-conditioned houses for piglets to make them eat more and reduce stress to produce quality meats.

 

He adds the company is also planning to replicate the systematic process with their contract farms for them to implement the same standards of quality production.

 

Monterey has more than 250 farms throughout the country. The main farms are located in Batangas, Cavite, and Bulacan, and small farms in Ilocos Sur to General Santos.

 

Obviar said the company will expand to the growing markets outside of Manila particularly in Cebu and key areas in Mindanao.

 

Previously, the meat company is perceived to cater to the affluent but its continuous use of technology in meat processing has produced high-quality meats that are budget-friendly.

 

Monterey was also recently awarded the Seal of Excellence by the Department of Agriculture - National Meat Inspection Services for the best and cleanest abattoir in the Triple A category. The prestigious honour is given only to brands that are in the Hall of Fame, meaning hailed as best in its category for five times.