October 18, 2006
 

Philippines'  meat processors urged to improve packaging

Packaging  meat and meat products in the same way as imported items would  help control the increase in meat importation in Central Visayas, an official of the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) Region 7 said.

According to NMIS Region 7 meat import and export section chief Dr Alvin Leal, the government is currently working on the "pork in a box" project where local produce would  be packaged in a similar fashion as  imported products. 

Leal said hog raisers in other countries process and package their meat products before exporting or distributing these to local consumers.

Similarly,  Mindanao hog raisers have adopted the practice  and have distributed the meat to Pampanga for processing, Leal said

Apart from enticing consumers, Leal noted improved packaging would  also ensure meat quality as labels would  assure the product has undergone a thorough meat inspection.  Packaging could also serve as an instructional guide in properly handling the meat.

The project would also enable local hog raisers to export meat once it is triple-A accredited and certified by the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Plan.

Though the project is yet to be implemented in Central Visayas as many processors are still not keen to invest in the facilities, Leal said the project would  hopefully push through as it would be  launched as a national campaign by the Department of Agriculture.