BGN considers equipping every SPPG kitchen with test kits
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has said the agency is considering equipping every Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) with test kits to detect harmful substances in food.
According to him, this is one of the evaluations being carried out by BGN in response to poisoning cases previously found at a number of SPPG kitchens, including one that occurred in Brastagi, North Sumatra.
“So this poisoning is not only checked organoleptically, by smelling, tasting and sampling. It was smelled and there was no problem, it was tasted and there was no issue, and then it was consumed. So we are currently considering having test kits used in every kitchen,” said Sudaryono at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday.
He explained that the test kits are intended to detect harmful substances in food such as arsenic and so on.
Sudaryono said the measure is a lesson learned from a number of SPPG units that have already implemented the use of test kits. One of them is an SPPG managed by Bhayangkari, the police wives’ organisation.
“So we are learning from the success of SPPG units. One of them is the SPPG managed by Bhayangkari from the National Police, which uses test kits and currently has not had a single case of poisoning. So we do not want anyone to be poisoned,” he said.
He noted that there are currently around 27,000 SPPG kitchens running the programme. The majority, Sudaryono said, have been working well.
Sudaryono stressed that BGN will take action against SPPG units or personnel who are unable to meet the established standards.
SPPG units that cannot be improved will be closed, while personnel who are unable to follow the standards will be removed from their duties.
“Those that cannot be evaluated, cannot be improved, I apologise but I will have to close them. And for personnel who cannot follow the high standards I have set, I apologise but I will have to remove them or dismiss them from their ASN or PPPK status,” he said.