BPOM and IPB University Launch Food Safety Community Service Programme to Reach Remote Villages
The Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) is collaborating with the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University) to hold a Thematic Community Service Programme (KKN) on Food Safety, aiming to strengthen the role of students in promoting a culture of food safety to the most remote villages.
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated in Jakarta on Saturday that the initiative invites students to become educational partners and mentors for communities and micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) in the food sector, helping to create healthier and more prosperous villages.
He explained that Indonesia still faces significant food safety challenges. Amid efforts to realise the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, the public continues to grapple with various issues, ranging from stunting to the circulation of food containing hazardous substances. Furthermore, foodborne illnesses cause economic losses amounting to tens or even hundreds of trillions of rupiah annually.
This situation demonstrates that food safety is not solely a health issue but is also linked to the quality of human resources and national competitiveness. Consequently, strengthening collaboration between academia, business, and government is one of BPOM’s strategies to broaden the reach of public education and empowerment.
According to Ikrar, the KKN programme serves as a platform for community service where scientific knowledge proves useful in solving real problems within society. In this programme, students assume at least three main roles. As food safety cadres, they will educate the public on food safety. As food safety facilitators, they will assist village food UMKM in implementing good processed food production practices and preparing them to obtain distribution permits. Additionally, they will establish and empower village food safety cadres so that communities can independently maintain food safety.
He expressed hope that through these roles, students will not only enhance the knowledge of village communities regarding food safety but also drive the development of food UMKM in villages. He advised students to treat the Thematic Food Safety KKN as proof that IPB University students are not only adept at theory but also resilient in seeking and implementing solutions.
IPB University’s Vice Rector for Education and Student Affairs, Deni Noviana, emphasised that the KKN is not merely an academic programme to fulfil semester credit units, but an opportunity for students to directly listen to community needs and provide solutions based on the knowledge acquired during their studies.
The IPB Innovation KKN programme will run for 40 days, from 6 July to 14 August 2026. A total of 3,679 students from 39 study programmes and 12 faculties will be deployed to 42 districts/cities, covering 133 sub-districts and 450 villages. The Thematic Food Safety KKN, a collaboration between BPOM and IPB, will specifically be implemented in 20 locations in Bogor Regency.