Food Safety in Action: Glenwood Technologies Engages 1000+ Live Viewers in Free Technical Webinar
On March 26, 2026, Glenwood Technologies International, Inc., and Food Safety Trends Philippines Magazine (FSTM), successfully conducted a FREE Technical Webinar on “Food Safety in Action: Advancing Food Safety Culture and Sanitation Verification Practices.”
Held from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM (Manila Time), the webinar was livestreamed via the Food Safety Trends Philippines Magazine Facebook Page (100,000+ followers) and shared in the Philippine Food Safety Ambassadors Facebook Group (22,000+ members). The session reached an impressive 1000+ peak concurrent viewers, reflecting the strong and growing engagement of food safety professionals across the Philippines.
Driving Food Safety Through Knowledge and Collaboration
The webinar was moderated by Katrina Cassandra Manongsong, Senior Technical Services Associate of Glenwood Technologies International, Inc., who guided the discussions and facilitated the highly interactive sessions.
Bringing together professionals from various sectors of the food and feed industry as well as from Government institutions, the webinar focused on translating food safety principles into actionable strategies, particularly in strengthening food safety culture and improving sanitation verification practices.
Food Safety Culture: From Foundation to Implementation
The first session, presented by Joan Velasco, Product Specialist – Technical Services Group of Glenwood, focused on building and sustaining a strong food safety culture within organizations.
Her presentation followed a structured approach, covering:
- Introduction to Food Safety Culture
- The Five Key Dimensions that define and influence culture
- Alignment of food safety culture within GFSI-recognized schemes
- Practical implementation guidance for organizations
Joan emphasized that food safety culture is not limited to policies and documentation, it is driven by leadership, behavior, accountability, and continuous improvement. Organizations must actively measure performance, interpret results, and translate insights into meaningful action plans.
Sanitation Verification Practices: Strengthening Systems with A3 Technology
The second session, presented by Shekainah Cuarto, PFT, Product Specialist – Food Chem Division of Glenwood Technologies, focused on advancing sanitation verification through both principles and innovation.
Key topics discussed included:
- Principles of cleaning and sanitization
- Current sanitation verification methods and their limitations
- Common challenges in sanitation verification
- Introduction to ATP monitoring technology
- Advantages of A3 Technology
- Best practices for A3 swabbing in food manufacturing environments
- Advantages of Kikkoman Lumitester Smart and Lucipac Swabs
Shekainah highlighted the importance of moving beyond traditional approaches and adopting technologies that provide faster, more reliable, and data-driven results.
Spotlight on Innovation: Kikkoman Lumitester™ Smart and A3 Technology
A key highlight of the webinar was the introduction of the Kikkoman Lumitester™ Smart, an advanced hygiene and monitoring system powered by A3 Technology.
Unlike conventional ATP-based systems, which measure only adenosine triphosphate (ATP), A3 Technology detects ATP, ADP (adenosine diphosphate), and AMP (adenosine monophosphate), providing a more complete and accurate assessment of contamination.
In real-world food processing environments, ATP is often broken down into ADP and AMP due to metabolic activity, heat treatment, or exposure to extreme pH conditions. As a result, traditional ATP-only systems may underestimate contamination levels.
By measuring all three adenylates, the Lumitester™ Smart enables:
- More accurate hygiene verification
- Reduced risk of false-negative results
- Faster and more reliable decision-making
- Stronger and more effective sanitation programs
The system is also designed for operational efficiency, offering:
- AOAC PTM (#051901) certification
- GBAC-STAR™ registration
- Recognition as an iF Design Award-winning product
- Bluetooth connectivity and mobile integration
- Cloud-based data management for real-time monitoring
Supporting the system is the LuciPac™ A3, an advanced swab technology that enhances detection performance while offering:
- Reliable sampling for hard-to-reach areas
- Options for surface and water testing (CIP rinses)
- Stability at room temperature for up to 5 days
- A sustainable design using biomass-based polypropylene, certified by ISCC
Together, these innovations represent a significant advancement in sanitation verification, helping companies shift from reactive testing to proactive risk management.
Strong Industry Participation and Nationwide Engagement
The webinar brought together a diverse group of participants from across the food, feed, academe, and government sectors, highlighting the widespread commitment to strengthening food safety practices in the Philippines.
Among the organizations and institutions represented were Universal Robina Corporation, Newly Weds Foods Philippines, Village Gourmet Company Inc., Alsons Aquaculture Corporation, Mindanao State University – Maigo College of Education, Science and Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Rizal Poultry and Livestock Association Inc., CDO Foodsphere Inc., San Miguel Foods, Inc., Jam Seafoods Inc., the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and various Local Government Units (LGUs) nationwide, along with many other companies and agencies from the food, feed, and public sectors.
Notably, multiple watch parties were organized by participating companies and institutions, where teams gathered to attend the webinar together, demonstrating strong collaboration and a shared commitment to continuous learning within their organizations.
Engaging the Industry: Questions That Matter
The webinar generated strong engagement, particularly during the open forum sessions for both speakers.
Participants raised insightful and practical questions such as:
- Can ATP testing replace microbiological testing?
- How reliable is ATP testing compared to traditional methods?
- How can acceptable ATP limits be established across different zones?
- How can sanitation verification data drive continuous improvement?
- What are the first steps in building a strong food safety culture?
- How can organizations encourage employee engagement and overcome resistance to change?
- How can whistleblowers be protected within organizations?
- What are the most common mistakes in implementing food safety culture programs?
These discussions reflect a growing industry shift toward proactive, data-driven, and people-centered food safety systems.
Interactive Participation and Community Engagement
To enhance the webinar experience, attendees were encouraged to actively participate by:
- Submitting questions during the session
- Sharing photos while watching the webinar
The response was overwhelming, with numerous received from participants across various companies and facilities, demonstrating strong engagement and commitment to learning.
Participants who submitted questions, shared entries, or supported Glenwood’s digital platforms, including subscribing to the Glenwood Technologies YouTube channel, were awarded food safety freebies, adding an interactive and rewarding element to the session.
Featured Segment: Glenwood Bites
As part of the program, Glenwood Bites Episode 23 was presented:
“Revolutionizing Hygiene Monitoring: A3 Technology vs. ATP Test Systems.”
The segment reinforced key concepts discussed in the webinar, particularly the advantages of A3 Technology in delivering more accurate and efficient hygiene monitoring.
Launch of Food Safety Trends Philippines Magazine – Volume 12
The webinar also marked the official launch of:
Food Safety Trends PH Magazine – Volume 12
“Environmental Monitoring Program: A Preemptive Approach to Food Safety”
Volume 12 highlights the critical role of Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMPs) in identifying and controlling unseen hazards such as pathogens and environmental contaminants.
This latest issue features:
- A comprehensive blueprint for implementing effective EMPs
- Focus discussions on Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.
- Root Cause Analysis in the food industry
- The use of AI and object detection technologies in food safety
- Advanced tools for hygiene and environmental monitoring
Recognized as a trusted reference among professionals, educators, and industry leaders, FSTM continues to provide relevant and practical insights that support food safety advancement nationwide.
A Continuing Advocacy for Food Safety
This webinar is part of Glenwood Technologies’ ongoing commitment to food safety education and industry development.
Since launching its webinar series during the pandemic, Glenwood has conducted over 73 free technical webinars, covering a wide range of topics on food, feed, and water safety.
These initiatives reflect Glenwood’s mission to:
- Make technical knowledge accessible
- Empower industry professionals
- Strengthen food safety culture across the country
Moving Forward
With strong participation, meaningful discussions, and active engagement from the industry, the webinar reinforces one key message:
Food safety is not just about systems, it is about building a culture that is continuously practiced, verified, and improved.
Glenwood Technologies International, Inc. and Food Safety Trends Philippines Magazine remain committed to driving food safety forward through education, innovation, and collaboration, one initiative at a time.
Stay tuned for upcoming technical webinars from Glenwood and FSTM as we continue to bring relevant, practical, and industry-driven discussions to food safety professionals across the country.
For any inquiries, clarifications, partnerships, or collaboration opportunities, you may reach us at [email protected].
