Bapanas and Ministry of Trade Strengthen Synergy for Food Safety, Consumer Protection, and National Product Competitiveness
The National Food Agency (Bapanas) and the Ministry of Trade have strengthened their synergy in ensuring food safety and quality through the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) focused on consumer protection and the management of technical barriers to food trade. The signing, which coincided with World Food Safety Day 2026, serves as a strategic step to bolster the supervision of fresh food and increase the competitiveness of Indonesian food products globally.
The agreement covers four primary areas: data and information exchange, food safety and quality assurance, the management of technical barriers to food trade, and the strengthening of networks and competence within food testing laboratories. Andriko Noto Susanto, Deputy for Consumption Diversification and Food Safety at Bapanable, emphasised that food safety is a fundamental pillar for building a healthy and sustainable national food system.
Addressing global challenges, Andriko noted that unsafe food remains a significant issue, with WHO data indicating that millions suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, leading to substantial global economic losses. To combat this, Bapanas has been strengthening national food safety systems since its inception in 2021 through regulation, institutional strengthening, and increased supervision. As of 2025, Bapanas has issued 25,912 certifications and registrations for fresh food and conducted tests on over 62,000 fresh food samples.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Trade’s Director General of Consumer Protection and Trade Order, Moga Simatupang, highlighted that cross-sector collaboration is vital as sanitary and phytosanitary notifications in international trade continue to rise. In 2025, notifications reached 2,496 cases, with nearly 47% related to fresh food commodities. The initiative aims to ensure that Indonesian food products meet international standards, thereby securing market access and protecting public health.