To learn the fundamentals of shelf-life testing and have a hands-on experience in the preparation of its experimental designs, 24 staff of the Fisheries Postharvest Research and Development Division (FPHRDD) of the Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), underwent a “Capacity Enhancement Training on Accelerated Shelf Life Testing (ASLT) of Food Products” on April 17-20, 2023.

The four-day training program was jointly organized by the FPHRDD and the DA-Food Development Center (FDC) with the aim of providing the staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to make shelf life estimates. The training covered the fundamentals, importance, and methods of making accurate shelf-life estimates, and hands-on training in conducting Accelerated Shelf Life Testing (ASLT). The capacity building is expected to contribute to the ongoing projects of FPHRDD and upcoming product development studies at NFRDI.

Dr. Ulysses Montojo, chief of FPHRDD, welcomed the participants and the resource speakers from the DA-Food Development Center (FDC). LizaTenorio, a Senior Science Research Specialist of DA-FDC, provided an introduction to the fundamentals of shelf life testing and the basic principles of shelf life prediction using moisture acceleration. Meanwhile, Danielin Sarmiento, a Science Research Specialist I of DA-FDC, discussed the shelf life prediction of food products using temperature acceleration methods; and Rachel Rocafort and Jocelyn M. Gabriel, also from DA-FDC, facilitating and assisting the participants during the training.

To enhance the participants’ understanding of the experimental design for estimating the shelf life of food products using the temperature acceleration and moisture acceleration methods, they were provided with problem sets and group activities.

The training was concluded by awarding certificates to the participants and resource speakers. In behalf of Dr. Montojo, Christine Tila delivered the closing message. ### (Vanessa Escaño)