Negros Oriental MSMEs Undergo Seminar on Packaging, Label Designing

Some 25 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province have embarked on packaging and label designing training recently in preparation for the global market brought by the ASEAN economic integration.

The local entrepreneurs in food manufacturing including the graphic designers and packaging supplier participated in the seminar-workshop to improve the current packaging and labeling of the manufacturing enterprises in the province.

Food Safety Team member Josie Elli of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) said “a package is not designed to last forever and must evolve continuously to keep pace with the market and consumer tastes.”

“The purpose of this training is to improve the current packaging of our products in order for us to be globally competitive. Majority of customers patronize products that has better packaging and superior packaging quality. So let’s all try to be open-minded and incorporate the useful recommendations to our respective packaging,” Elli added.

Organized by the DOST-Negros Oriental, the training is in cooperation with DOST-7 and Foundation University. Elli discussed packaging, label designing, product-package interaction, food classification, deterioration and preservation. She also elaborated on mandatory labeling requirements, graphic design, updates on food labeling, product characteristics, establishment of packaging specifications and the influence of packaging on product quality and food safety.

The local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to understand the shelf life of the food products, food allergen and importance of food traceability. Some products such as dried fish, malunggay coffee, virgin coconut oil, cassava chips and calamansi juice were demonstrated. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)