Soeharto calls for intensive study on traditional foods

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned the people yesterday not to be affected by the influx of foreign foods into the country.

"As an open nation, it is almost impossible for us to stop the rapid development of the foreign food businesses in Indonesia. But their stronger presence should not change the daily menus," he said in his address at the opening of a three-day workshop on the promotion of traditional foods.

"Foreign foods are not always better than those of the local ones," he said, while calling for the need of intensive research in order to effectively promote traditional domestic foods in society.

Fast-food restaurants have been mushrooming in the country's major cities following the entry of major, foreign, fast-food restaurants in the last three years.

Soeharto acknowledged that the lack of interests in traditional foods was partly caused by the lack of scientific research on such food products.

"I hope that we will be able to give stronger attention in the future to the research and development of traditional foods," he said.

The President said that research activities should not merely be directed at assessing the hygienic aspects, or calorie contents, of the foods but more importantly on ways to better process and market the products.

"Only in such ways, can traditional foods be developed on par with those coming from foreign countries," he said, adding that the increase in the consumption of traditional foods will also help deal with unemployment problems.

The three-day workshop, sponsored by the National Research Council and International Life Science of South East Asia, is being participated in by 250 foreign and local food experts.

The meeting will be closed on Sunday, with a display of traditional food. (hen)