The Office of Food Safety and Quality Assurance (OFSQA) issued a memorandum on December 19 which states that the validity of a complaint regarding an insect found in a burger of John Gokongwei Student Enterprise Center (JSEC) stall Hunger Buster cannot beestablished due to lack of evidence on the contaminant.
At 1:12PM on December 19, sophomore Dranz Barbin posted two Facebook photos of abeetle found inside one of the Hunger Buster burgers with the caption “TANGINAHUNGER BUSTER.”
In the memorandum, which was posted by Hunger Buster on their official Facebook pageon December 21, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Officer for Loyola SchoolsMaria Garcia deemed that Hunger Buster passed the food safety and cleanlinessinspection.
Thememorandum also states, “The picture [posted by Barbin] showed that the burgerpatty was contaminated with the foreign object; Beetle, however, picture alsoshows that the outer shell of beetle remained intact, legs did not curl up andouter shell did not discolour.”
Garcia pointed out in the memorandum that exposure to heat while cooking would have affected the insect’s physical attributes.
She also stated that environmental factors such as the presence of tree leaves and insects should be considered since there are trees in proximity to the stalls.
Barbin refused to comment on the memorandum. “I am about to send a letter to the [OFSQA] pertaining to my side of the story. All my statements [will be] there and it will be up to them to disclose it to anyone.”
The OFSQA, under of the Office of Health Services, ensures that food establishmentson campus comply with established food safety and health standards.
Inspection
OnDecember 19, Barbin’s post was seen by Hunger Buster co-owner Jose EmmanuelCarlos who then reported it to Student Entrepreneurial Initiatives Coordinator GQ Quitariano.
Quitariano contacted the OFSQA via phone call then proceeded with Carlos to the office where both provided details on the incident.
At 4:45PM on the same day, Garcia inspected the Hunger Buster facility based on fourcriteria: Machine or equipment, method, materials and manpower or behavior.
According to the memorandum, all equipment of Hunger Buster such as the grill, foodwarmers and utensils were in good condition.
The food handlers of the stall’s staff, Mark Solomon and Romeo Padilla, were also incompliance with kitchen rules, as evidenced by proper grooming and complete kitchen attires.
A statement sent to The GUIDON by the Hunger Buster owners reads, “Hunger Buster is committed to provide the best service for the Ateneo community and we will continue to strictly follow the guidelines of OFSQA and coordinate with them should there be a need to revise our operations and anticipate externalfactors.”
Hunger Buster is co-owned by Carlos, Erika Cantor, Eries Chan, Kenneth Chan and Bret Monsanto.
