DTI aiding food makers acquire FDA registration

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) is intensifying its move to assist micro food makers to penetrate the export market.

“We are now helping the micro food manufacturers in acquiring FDA [Food and Drugs Authority] registration. They need guidance,” said DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte.

Now that “pasalubong” snacks like banana chips, dried mangoes, utap, as well as fruit-based goodies are big hits among tourists and therefore have good potential for export market, Caberte said DTI is helping those micro players to take advantage of the growing overseas market.

And while this program assists micro entrepreneurs to acquire their FDA certification, Caberte said DTI is intensifying its coverage for assistance.

Now that FDA is streamlining its requirements, Caberte hopes that more micro-entrepreneurs will be able to get FDA registration thereby opening them to exploit the world market.

Some food makers are only enjoying sales within the local consumer-based including visiting tourists, but once they have proper requirements, tapping the world market is easier.

A study conducted by The Euromonitor Digest, by Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) indicated that Chinese savory snacks market is seen grow rapidly over the next five years, driven by the rising consumer preferences towards healthy food.

The report said that the salty snacks category, with sales of 47.54 billion yuan, leads total market sales amounting to 123.474 billion yuan this year.

This is followed by other savory snacks; nuts, seeds and trail mixes; puffed snacks; potato chips; savory biscuits; rice snacks; and popcorn.

While salty snacks has an unhealthy image in China, the category has seen growing interest in new product types that combine healthy ingredients with tasty flavors, such as yam chips.

The report added that over the forecast period, it is possible that some manufacturers will launch new yam chips products that are roasted rather than fried so as to better meet the demand for healthier salty snacks. (FREEMAN)