RFM Corp to market squash canton noodles

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines - The Benguet State University, which has been tasked by President Gloria Arroyo to produce squash canton noodles, has chosen the RFM Corporation as its marketing arm for the product. RFM representative Julius Rugas, expressing optimism on the marketability of the product, in return called on BSU to adhere to the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). GMP requires isolation of production facilities, prevention of contamination, and use of sanitizers and disinfectants among other things in ensuring quality production. The GMP was set between BSU and RFM in a meeting last week. BSU would still undertake noodle production trials before considering the initial buying price set by RFM. The noodles were approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) only last year and became popular because the town adopted the product under the "One Town, One Product" program of the Department of Trade and Industry. The program is also in line with the government's biofortification program, which requires food manufacturers to fortify their products with essential nutrients to fight malnutrition. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued a P10 million financial assistance on March 22, 2008 to BSU for the establishment of a Vegetable Processing Center, which includes the production of veggie noodles. With the idea of producing nutritious but affordable food alternative due to soaring prices of food, the veggie noodles produced under the project will be distributed through the TNOs. BSU project focal person Dr. Violeta Salda said as agreed in one of the Inter-Agency Group meetings, BSU and small processors of veggie noodles will serve as toll packers of RFM Corporation initially for squash canton noodles while other vegetable highland vegetable variants such as carrots, spinach, amaranth, cabbage, broccoli, potatoes will follow. BSU will also be producing veggie meat and veggie bread, she added. According to Salda, the Vegetable Processing Project and the Proud Harvest Squash Canton noodles will be launched in Malacanang on July 30, 2008 instead of at BSU as initially set. - GMANews.TV with a report from PIA-Benguet