FNRI, Philbaking to Launch Coco Pandesal this Month

(DOST’s) push for wheat alternatives, its attached agency, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) and other partners will launch the coco pandesal this month of June.  DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the FNRI has conducted a nutrient analysis for the coco pandesal, which will be formulated by the Philippine Baking Industry (PhilBaking).  Secretary dela Peña said PhilBaking initiated efforts to create coco pandesal using wheat flour and coconut flour. 

“The DOST is concerned with the rising price of wheat flour due to geopolitical circumstances.  Together with various agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Coconut Authority, Virgin Coconut Oil Producers and Traders Association of the Philippines (VCOP), and PhilBaking, the DOST convened several meetings to figure out which among the local flours can be used as alternative to wheat flour,” he said. These agencies considered cassava, sweet potato, and coconut flour as alternative, he added.