DHAKA, Sept 8, 2025 (BSS) - Food Secretary Md Masudul Hasan today said that research findings related to food safety in Bangladesh will be applied to ensure safe food and serve the public interest.

He made the remark while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority's (BFSA) Online Fellowship Programme 2025 at the ministry.

The secretary said that the BFSA is launching the Fellowship Programme 2025 to encourage young researchers to engage in research and innovation related to food safety in the country.

He added that the fellowship is being introduced in accordance with the Food Safety Authority Fellowship Policy 2024, which has been approved by the Ministry of Food. This initiative will expand opportunities for young researchers to conduct studies in this vital sector.

The food secretary mentioned that the BFSA is launching this programme for the first time in the fiscal year 2025-26, and under the General Fellowship-1 category (MS or equivalent), around 20 fellows will be selected.

According to the Fellowship Policy 2024, 14 research areas have been designated. These include food microbiology, food chemistry, food toxicology, food preservation and processing, food contamination control, risk management, emerging technologies, and waste management, among others.

The fellowship programme will create opportunities for research, innovation, and the development of skilled manpower in food safety, thereby strengthening the national food safety system. 

The initiative by the BFSA is expected to play a supportive role in ensuring the country's food security.

Speaking at the event, BFSA Chairman Zakaria said that the application process has been digitized through the mygov platform in collaboration with a2i to simplify the process. As a result, applications will be accepted exclusively through an online process.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Food, a2i, and the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority were present at the event.