The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 will train more individuals to form another food safety team which will operate in Negros Oriental, an official said.
The new team will add to the existing food safety teams in Cebu and Bohol, said Ethel Iyog, DOST 7 science research specialist.
Iyog, a member of the Cebu Food Safety Team, said 12 persons coming from government agencies, local government units and the academe will be trained to form a multi-disciplinary team.
Last Thursday, the DOST 7 signed a memorandum of agreement with a German foundation and the Negros Oriental Business Development Foundation Inc. (NOBDF) for the creation of a food safety team in Negros Oriental.
The project, which will cost P821,000, aims to help the food processing sector in the province, where there are 445 processing firms for vegetables, fruits, flour, meat and dairy-based products registered with the Department of Trade and Industry in 2009.
The project cost will be shared by the DOST 7, NOBDF and the AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation, with the DOST providing more than half of the needed amount.