San Miguel meat plants get HACCP accreditation

Three of San Miguel Pure Foods Co., Inc.’s (SMPFC) AAA meat facilities received the country’s first-ever hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) accreditation from the Department of Agriculture-National Meat Inspection Commission (DA-NMIC).

SMPFC’s facilities – Monterey Foods Corp. plant in Dasmariñas, Cavite, San Miguel Foods, Inc. poultry facility in San Fernando, Pampanga; and Pure Foods-Hormel Co., Inc. in Marikina – were the first meat plants to comply with DA’s Administrative Order No. 9, which requires all AAA establishments – or meat processing facilities that can sold in and out of the country – to apply HACCP standards.

HACCP is a globally recognized set of procedures and standards for protecting the production, manufacturing and distribution of food from contaminants and other hazards that are present in the food production process. The Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization also adopt HACCP as the basic sanitary standard to be applied to food producers in every country.

Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo, Jr. signed and ordered the HACCP implementation last March 2003.

SMPFC said the accreditation is a boost especially to San Miguel Corp.’s thrust of becoming a major player in the Asia-Pacific region.

It added the HACCP certification brings the company closer to achieving its vision of becoming the No. 1 player in the food industry. SMPFC has become a model of food safety in the country.

NMIC Executive Director Efren Nuestro said SMPFC deserves a good commendation being the pioneer in HACCP accreditation for meat products.

"This accreditation means that Philippine products are ready for global competition," said Nuestro. He also added that SMPFC’s efforts complement DA’s move in charting the export roadmap with the private sector. Nuestro explained that one of the constraints in the export procedure of processed meats is the lack of the HACCP compliance, which will now be effectively met.

NMIC targets HACCP accreditation for AA meat establishments by 2004. AA classification means it processed meat can be sold anywhere in the country.

At present, there are 50 AAA NMIC-accredited meat facilities in the country: six slaughterhouses, 11 poultry dressing plant and 33 meat processing plant.