DOST Aurora strengthens support for local cacao producers. The facility assessment of the Aurora Cacao Agriculture Cooperative (ACAC) provides technical guidance toward FDA registration, improved food safety practices, and wider market opportunities for Aurora’s cacao products. (Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Central Luzon, through its Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) Aurora, conducted a facility assessment of the Aurora Cacao Agriculture Cooperative (ACAC) on September 30 to provide technical assistance for the cooperative’s application for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration of its cacao tablea product.
The assessment was led by PSTO Aurora Provincial Science and Technology Director Maricel M. Sicat, together with Heinrich O. Villanueva of the Central Luzon Food Safety Team.
The team evaluated ACAC’s processing facility to identify improvements and technical requirements needed for its FDA application. The assessment will also serve as a basis for developing the facility’s plant layout, one of the requirements in the registration process.
As part of the technical assistance, DOST also advised ACAC to participate in a series of food safety webinars and a writeshop to be conducted by the Central Luzon Food Safety Team.
The capacity-building activities are intended to enhance the cooperative’s understanding of food safety standards, good manufacturing practices, and regulatory requirements applicable to food processing establishments.
ACAC Manager Dionisio C. Rivera and members of the cooperative’s Board of Trustees were present during the assessment and took part in the discussions and evaluation.
The initiative forms part of DOST-PSTO Aurora’s continuing technical assistance to local cooperatives and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through science, technology, and innovation (STI)-based interventions.
Through the assessment and related capacity-building activities, DOST seeks to assist local food producers in improving their processing facilities, strengthening food safety practices, and complying with regulatory requirements, which could help expand market opportunities for Aurora’s cacao products. (Jason de Asis)