Tagbilaran City – On February 23, 2024, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Bohol, deliberated about 18 nominees to comprise the Bohol Food Safety Team (BFST). Comprising the Ten (10) Nominated Members, ATI in Central Visayas is one of them, through its Food Safety Focal Person, Doris Isabel J. Racho.

Completing the Team include focal persons from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian; City and Provincial Health Office; University of Bohol; Holy Name University, Bohol Island State University, and TESDA Bohol. 

The team is set to be trained for six months which is regularly scheduled once a week at the DOST Bohol Provincial Office. The objective of this is to provide capability enhancement through technology training related to food safety for the BFST to develop its members into trainers, facilitators, mentors, and assessors.    

The BFST was revitalized as it is essential to ensure the safety of consumers amidst the resurgence of activities in the food industry due to increased tourism in the province. This initiative is a collaborative effort of the DOST Bohol, Bohol Chamber of Commerce Inc., and AFOS Foundation through the FISH Visayas Project.  

To formally recognize the BFST Team, they were officially launched during the Regional Science Technology and Innovation Week on April 17, 2024, held at ICM Mall Activity Center, this city, by DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. ATI-7 Center Director Gracia F. Arado, PhD was also present among the guests.

Bohol Food Safety Team members are expected to conduct food safety training for Micro Small Medium Enterprises, assist processors in the Food and Drug Authority License-to-Operate application, and develop a developed BFST training manual.