The DOST-FNRI launched new technologies for nutritious food products at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City on July 20, 2023.
The new food technologies launched included “Cocokies” Hard Cookies; CocoDairy Milk Blends in cow, carabao, and goat milk variants; Improved Nutribunnets; New Enhanced Nutribun Variants; and Nutri Calaman-C Juice Drink. These nutrient-dense food products are intended to provide additional options for feeding programs, relief operations, and other related nutrition projects primarily aimed at addressing malnutrition especially among young children.
Dubbed as “Let’s Meet Up: Launching of DOST-FNRI developed Nutritious Food Products”, the event engaged around 270 participants representing 188 existing and prospective licensees, others are from: institutional partner-clients from government agencies conducting feeding and nutrition programs, other government and non-government agencies, media partners.
Bearing the theme: “TAGPUAN: TAGpuan ng Partners na UmAdopt ng Nutritious Food Products”, the event was sponsored by existing and prospective food technology licensees who submitted 87 signed Letters of Intent (LOIs) to signify interest in adopting the new food technologies.
Through the event, institutional partners from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), National Nutrition Council (DOH-NNC), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) presented the requirements or needs of their feeding and nutrition programs for information and guidance of food technology licensees on the volume of production that they could be capable of providing these needs.
Successful technology adopters have shared their experiences and gains in adopting the DOST-FNRI food technologies to inspire the other MSMEs. The event was honored by the recorded message of support from Senator Francis N. Tolentino who pushes for the development of food technologies from coconut to help the industry and its farmers. The TAGPUAN was also graced by DOST and partner-agency officials, including a recorded message from DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
Major mass media partners from GMA 7, GNTv, TV 5, PTV 4, NET 25, DOSTv-STII, and Manila Times provided wide coverage and prime exposure immediately after the event, with follow-up interviews and write-ups days following the launch.
by Salvador R. Serrano, Senior Science Research Specialist
