IN A BID to improve food safety in Cagayan de Oro City, the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP), together with the city government and the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid), came up with a strategy to help industry players and stakeholders in preserving and extending the shelf life of processed foods, fruits and vegetables.

According to Marc Anthony Dizon, the CCAP president, through a new technology called Cold Chain System, businessmen and their clients are assured that the food they sell and buy are fresh, clean and safe to eat.

The Cold Chain System, an uninterrupted series of distribution and storage activities which take place in a temperature controlled environment, can help prolong the life of fresh products such as fruits and vegetables, frozen food and seafood, according to Dizon.

Cold chain is often used in pharmaceutical industries and in hospitals in storing and transporting vaccines.

Most agricultural products sold in public markets and supermarkets, such as fish, meat, fruits and vegetables, are perishable.

However, the decay process can be slowed down by proper food handling and preservation like controlling the environment where the food is kept.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno, for his part, is optimistic that such technology can not only help the businessmen and sellers in the city as this will in turn also improve Cagayan de Oro’s economy, which is his plan during his administration.