North Jakarta City Government Monitors Fresh Produce at Several Markets

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The North Jakarta City Government (Pemkot Jakut) of North Jakarta City is supervising the quality of fresh produce from farming and livestock at several traditional markets and supermarkets in the area to ensure quality and safety so that it is fit for consumption by residents. ‘This step is taken to ensure the food circulating in the community is safe, healthy and fit for consumption,’ said Novy Christine Palit, Head of the Food Security, Maritime and Agricultural Office (KPKP) North Jakarta, in Jakarta on Friday. She said the supervision also aims to maintain the availability and price stability of food commodities during Ramadan up to the days approaching Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri. According to her, the food surveillance is a routine activity that is increasingly intensified ahead of religious holidays to protect residents. She explained that the surveillance is conducted at five locations namely Pasar Mandiri Kelapa Gading, Pasar Hibrida Kelapa Gading, Pasar Kalibaru Cilincing, Superindo Sport Mall Kelapa Gading, and Daily Food Hall Mall of Indonesia (MOI) Kelapa Gading. Meanwhile, the Head of the Agriculture and Food Security Sub-Section of the North Jakarta KPKP, Gusti Arvianty, explained that the surveillance focuses on fresh food commodities widely consumed by the public from both agricultural and livestock sectors. According to him, products inspected include chicken meat, beef, offal and trotters. In addition, officers also check various agricultural products such as rice, chili, vegetables, and fruits such as apples and grapes. ‘Each sample taken is immediately tested on-site using two mobile laboratory vehicles owned by DKI Jakarta’s KPKP department so that test results can be known quickly,’ he said. At Pasar Hibrida Kelapa Gading, tests were conducted on 11 samples comprising eight agricultural products and three livestock products. Next, at Pasar Kalibaru Cilincing, seven agricultural products and three livestock products were examined. Meanwhile, at Superindo Sport Mall Kelapa Gading, nine agricultural products and three livestock products were tested, as well as at Daily Food Hall MOI Kelapa Gading, nine agricultural products and two livestock products. According to him, a total of 57 food samples were tested, consisting of 42 agricultural product samples and 15 livestock products.