La Carlota Food Enterprise is a family-owned snack manufacturing company based in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines. Founded in 1992 by Carlota Legaspi Cauntay, the enterprise has grown from a small kitchen operation to a nationally recognized manufacturer and exporter of traditional Filipino delicacies under the brand name Carl’s.
Core Business and Product Offerings
La Carlota Food Enterprise specializes in the production, packaging, and export of traditional Filipino snacks and delicacies. Their extensive product range includes:
- Chicharon (Pork Rind) – Regular, Microwaveable, and Ready-to-Fry
- Fish Crackers
- Banana Chips
- Peanuts with Garlic
- Cashew Nuts
- Peanut Brittle
- Shing-a-ling
- Crispy Anchovy (Dilis)
- Crispy Squid (Pusit)
These products are sold both locally and internationally, emphasizing authenticity and Filipino culinary heritage.
Specialization and Unique Value Proposition
La Carlota Food Enterprise is known for its high-quality, FDA-registered snack products that combine traditional recipes with modern food safety practices. Their specialty lies in offering products with:
- Long shelf-life and export-ready packaging
- Microwaveable innovations in Chicharon
- Consistent flavor and texture recognized across the Filipino diaspora
Their production process adheres to strict hygiene protocols and is geared towards high-volume output with efficient turnaround times for export orders.
Financial and Operational Strength
While specific financial figures are not disclosed publicly, La Carlota Food Enterprise maintains operational efficiency through an in-house manufacturing facility in Laguna. Their consistent presence in food expos and export development programs highlights a growing financial footprint and investment in capacity expansion.
Export and Shipment Records
La Carlota Food Enterprise is a registered exporter with a track record of shipments primarily to countries with large Filipino communities such as:
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
Their products appear in ethnic grocery stores and Filipino specialty markets across these regions. According to trade data, the company has been actively shipping containers of dried and fried snack goods to UAE importers, particularly within the last 3 years.
Target Market
The primary customers for La Carlota Food Enterprise include:
- Overseas Filipino workers and their families
- Asian groceries and Filipino specialty stores
- Export distributors handling Filipino FMCG products
- Local supermarkets and sari-sari stores within the Philippines
Their snack offerings are tailored to nostalgic, value-seeking, and culturally inclined consumers.
Capabilities and Infrastructure
- In-house production facility in Laguna
- Capability to process and pack various snack types
- Microwaveable packaging innovation
- Flexible bulk and retail packaging options
- FDA-registered operations with product barcoding and labeling compliance
These capabilities allow for scalable production runs and meet the stringent requirements of international distributors.
Certifications and Compliance
- BFAD/FDA Registration for food safety and quality assurance
- Philippine Export Accreditation
- Compliant with labeling and shelf-life standards required for international shipments
These certifications help build buyer confidence in both domestic and export markets.
Customer Testimonials
La Carlota’s products are widely appreciated for their crunchiness, authentic taste, and affordability. Repeat orders from Middle East and North American distributors underline customer satisfaction and product reliability.
Major Achievements
- Over 30 years of uninterrupted operations
- Established international presence in Filipino communities abroad
- Known brand recognition of “Carl’s” in the traditional snack food category
- Innovation in snack processing – particularly in microwaveable and ready-to-fry product formats
- Participation in Philippine food expos and export development programs
La Carlota Food Enterprise continues to celebrate Filipino snack heritage with quality offerings tailored for global enjoyment.