The Davao Food Safety Team Incorporated (DFST, Inc.), previously Davao Food Safety Team (DFST) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of Region XI (Mindanao), where I am presently working as consultant, was created to support the food processing projects in Southern Mindanao under the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). an umbrella program which rationalizes and links all DOST services to address the technological needs of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with the concerted efforts of DOST regional offices, Research and Development Institutes, Council and other institutes of the Department.
The DFST Inc. is composed of equally competitive and knowledgeable professionals and service providers both from the government and private sector. The team is expected to play an important role in imparting and disseminating information on food safety regulations and requirements to food handlers for the continuing improvement production of safe, healthy and unadulterated foods for both local and export markets.
The DFST Inc. has been actively participating in food safety advocacy since its inception. It has been busy catering to requests for speaking engagements on awareness, full course training for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for LTO application ore renewal as well as plant layout and other pertinent food safety programs.
Parallel to servicing the needs of the local food industry, are the numerous capability building up seminars and workshops participated by various food safety members.
Existing for 5 years now, the group is composed of food safety practitioners who are experts on their respective fields, represented by specialists from the various public and private agencies. These include the Food and Drugs Administration, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Plant Industry - Davao National Crop Research and Development Center, Davao City Water District, Department of Health, just to mention some among many others.
At current, the team has 25 food safety experts. It offers 25 Different Food Safety Modules. For more information, visit the group at the DOST 11 Regional Office, Corner Friendship-Dumanlas Roads, Bajada, Davao City, or you may call their staff, Ms. Loi Tolentino at numbers 082 - 227-1313 or 0932-4422221.
