The Food Sanitation Practices Of Unbranded Soy Milk Producers Of Magalang And Mexico, Pampanga - De Guzman, Erika P.; Sancho A. Garcia (Magalang, Pampanga : Pampanga State Agricultural University, 2022)
DE GUZMAN, ERIKA P. THE FOOD SANITATION PRACTICES OF UNBRANDED SOY MILK PRODUCERS OF MAGALANG AND MEXICO, PAMPANGA. Pampanga State Agricultural University. Adviser: Prof. Sancho A. Garcia This descriptive study aimed to determine the food sanitation practices of unbranded soy milk producers in Magalang, and Mexico, Pampanga. Specifically, it sought to: 1) observe the production sites of unbranded soy milk producers in Magalang and Mexico, Pampanga; 2) determine the food sanitation practices of the unbranded soy milk producers in Magalang and Mexico, Pampanga; 3) determine the compliance with the Code of Sanitation of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 856) among the local unbranded soy milk businesses in Magalang and Mexico, Pampanga; and 4) propose an extension project that will enhance the food sanitation practices of unbranded soy milk producers in Magalang and Mexico, Pampanga. A total of three unbranded soy milk producers, along with their production sites, participated in the research. A validated checklist for the on-site observation in regards to food safety and sanitation was used. In addition, a survey and interview questionnaire was utilized to determine the food safety and sanitation practices of the local soy milk producers from Magalang and Mexico, Pampanga. Based on the results of the on-site observations, the required personal protective equipment (PPE) wearing is not being done by the workers, and the general sanitary methods and as well the structural premises of the unbranded soy milk sites need to be improved. On the assessment of their knowledge of food safety, all respondents scored highly. A descriptive rating of always was also obtained based on survey information gathered on food sanitation and hygiene, suggesting that the respondents are upholding proper sanitation. However, on the researcher's on-site observation and interview, it looked like the respondents were not using what they knew in their actual work field production. More importantly, the majority of the respondents (2/3 or 66.66%) are not complying with the Code of Sanitation of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 856). They have not applied for a sanitation permit, which is the most important factor in checking for the paramount sanitation of a food business. For the proposed extension project, an informative poster campaign and trifold brochure are done which contains information on areas that need to be improved and adopted by unbranded soy milk producers of Magalang and Mexico, Pampanga. The result of the study revealed that most soy milk producers are knowledgeable but lack the application of the knowledge in the production process. Recommendations such as conducting a microbial analysis on local unbranded soy milk to examine if there are the presence of pathogenic microorganisms to be able to evaluate their health risk are highly suggested and encouraging soy milk businesses to comply with sanitary permits. Keywords: Food handler, food safety, food sanitation, food-borne diseases, pathogenic microorganisms, local unbranded soy mitk.