By: Demee Angelica S. Ludia
During these trying times, micronutrient malnutrition is waving. With calamities shaking our country one after another, the Department of Science and Technology through its Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) aims to ensure nutritional well-being through the revived and enhanced “ready to eat complete meal”-Enhanced Nutribun (E-Nutribun). And guess what? The CALABARZON region will soon get a taste of the E-Nutribun from none other than their kababayan bakers and manufacturers in the region.
Eight DOST CALABARZON-assisted micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have sealed the deal through signing a Technology Licensing Agreement (TLA) as the official first batch of producers of the E-Nutribun in the region.
Inking of the E-Nutribun TLA by (Top, Left to Right) Swiss Pharma Research Laboratories, Inc., Momilo Mio, Gem See’s Cakeshop, and Golden Wheat Bakery (Bottom, Left to Right) DoughPro Manufacturing and Trading Corp., Panaderia Pantoja, San Jose Workers’ Multi Purpose Cooperative, and MRG Foods Products.
The eight E-Nutribun technology adopters, after undergoing several virtual evaluations, have successfully passed the set standards and are now closer towards becoming a full-fledged adopter. One of the eight technology adopters is the San Jose Workers’ Multipurpose Cooperative (SJWMPC) from San Jose, Batangas. When asked about their decision to adopt the E-Nutribun, Mr. Emmanuel Munda, the General Manager, noted that this adoption is in line with their cooperative’s vision- “SJWMPC’s tagline is Kooperatiba para sa malusog na Pilipino. [This] partnership with DOST-FNRI is a golden opportunity to promote healthy products such as E-Nutribun.”
DOST-CALABARZON since September of this year has been actively endorsing and contributing to the efforts for the adoption and commercialization of the E-Nutribun. From series of orientations with DOST-FNRI and different MSMEs, to intensive promotions by the Provincial Science and Technology Centers, to a consultative meeting with DSWD IV-A and DepEd IV-A, even up to paving the way for the conduct of the very first DOST-FNRI virtual site visit and ocular inspection.
The initiative to have MSMEs as E-Nutribun technology adopters also aim to help the MSME sector rise above the damage that may have incurred. Initial coordinations with DepEd IV-A and DSWD IV-A have already been made to ensure that the eight technology adopters from the region may become the suppliers for the agencies' feeding programs.
Swisspharma Research Laboratories, Inc. from Cabuyao Laguna, another technology adopter, noted that the E-Nutribun as well as the partnership with DOST is a promising angle for their enterprise, “At this point, business is matter of adopting technology, raw materials, [and] market access [which is highly dependent] ... on your partnerships. This pandemic, I think E-Nutribun is going to be a promising product…”, said Benjamin Tantiasu of Swisspharma.
At present, the technology adopters have already undergone a three-day Virtual Technology Transfer Training on the Production of DOST-FNRI developed Enhanced Nutribun. Concepts presented and discussed were relevant production topics on food safety, 5S, and good manufacturing practices. A test production of the actual E-Nutribun was also conducted. Some MSME technology adopters have already begun their commercial production and selling (See sample E-Nutribun photos below). As part of DOST-CALABARZON’s Regional E-Nutribun Launching, DOST will be giving away samples to partner NGAs, LGUs, SUCs, and Pos.
Photos from the test production done by four of the eight E-Nutribun technology adopters from CALABARZON.
Concurrently, the assistance to aspiring technology adopters is still on-going. With the CALABARZON region receiving the most number of Letter of Intentions for E-Nutribun adoption, DOST-CALABARZON continues to assist more MSMEs in their E-Nutribun journey. For interested adopters, shoot an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through DOST-CALABARZON’s Facebook page.
