IDAI emphasises the importance of food safety standards in the MBG Programme
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) has emphasised the importance of implementing food safety standards in the execution of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Programme following cases of poisoning among beneficiary students.
“The name of the programme is free nutritious meals, but the most basic aspect is food safety standards,” said the General Chairman of the IDAI Central Board, Dr. dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A, Subsp.Kardio(K), after the IDAI media briefing at the Balai Budaya in Jakarta on Monday.
He stressed that the process of preparing, processing, and serving food in the MBG Programme must meet safety standards to avoid adverse effects on the beneficiaries who consume it.
“The time between cooking and serving must not be too long, as that can trigger bacterial growth,” he said.
According to him, health issues such as nausea and diarrhoea among MBG Programme beneficiary students are likely related to failures in applying food safety standards.
“There is a possibility that the food safety standards were not properly met; this must be audited,” he said.
As many as 72 students in East Jakarta are suspected of having been poisoned after consuming food from the MBG Programme distributed on Thursday (2/4).
The victims, mostly primary school pupils, reported symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, requiring hospital treatment.
To prevent such incidents from recurring, Dr. Piprim said that food safety audits must be conducted at all stages of the MBG Programme, from food preparation in the kitchen to distribution to beneficiaries.
“This concerns human lives, so audits must be conducted rigorously,” he stated.
“IDAI is not opposing the MBG Programme, but please improve its management,” he said.
He conveyed that every food poisoning incident among MBG Programme beneficiaries must be followed up with a comprehensive evaluation of the programme’s implementation to prevent repetition.
“If there is even one case, it must be audited immediately; do not take it lightly,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration in efforts to ensure the application of food safety standards in the MBG Programme.