TUGUEGARAO CITY – The Cagayan State University (CSU) Food Quality and Safety Laboratory officially opened on March 14, 2025, providing much-needed certified food testing services for researchers and businesses in the Cagayan Valley Region.
Funded by a ₱5-million grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Institution Development Program (IDP), the laboratory will help local food producers and university researchers ensure the quality and safety of their products. Previously, such services were unavailable in the region.
Currently, 12 local researchers are developing seven innovative products, while 23 food items from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are undergoing testing. These include items made from locally sourced ingredients such as mushrooms, cacao, and peanuts.
Dr. Enrico Paringit, Executive Director of DOST-PCIEERD, emphasized the importance of testing in food innovation. “Testing is crucial not only to meet safety and quality standards but also to assure consumers that new products are safe to eat.” CSU President Dr. Junel Guzman highlighted the lab’s potential to help local products enter the market. “We don’t want our products to stay in testing. We want to see them in grocery stores and souvenir shops.” To encourage more local entrepreneurs, CSU offers discounted testing fees for students and small businesses. With this new facility, the region’s food industry is expected to grow, helping local products compete both nationally and internationally.#
