FAO Representative Stephen Rudgard sticked his note to the wall of famous for Zero Hunger accompanied by leader of Youth Organization Food Sustainesia Jaqualine Wijaya

The theme of World Food Day is “Our actions are our future. Healthy diets. For a #zerohunger world”.

Law No. 18 of 2012 on food guarantees the provision of sufficient, safe and nutritiously balanced food for a healthy and active life for every individual. "We must ensure that not only is the amount of food available, but it is also safe and contains enough nutrients that the body can use to carry out its daily functions," said Head of the Food Security Agency, Agung Hendriadi at his remarks in the opening of the event.

Agung further explain to carry out the mandate of the Food Law, the Ministry of Agriculture is not only increases food production, but also controls and supervises fresh food from plant and animal origin to ensure food quality and safety. The MoA also focuses its efforts to reduce food loss and waste through advancing the technology to increase food availability.

Diets are changing

Diets are changing as a result of globalization, urbanization and income growth, and most of the world’s population have moved from seasonal, mainly plant-based and fibre-rich diets to ones that are high in refined starches, sugar, fats, and salt.

Less time is spent preparing meals at home, and consumers, especially in urban areas, rely more and more on fast food outlets, street food vendors, take-away restaurants, and supermarkets,.

Children and youngsters, especially in urban areas, have easy access to prepared foods and beverages on the street, which are usually cheap and widely available. However, the young generation are mostly unaware about the quality of the food offered on the street.

In Indonesia, the consumption of prepared foods and beverage is growing every year, and now accounts for 28% of all calories consumed by urban populations. Meanwhile, the Public Health Emergency Operation Center of the Ministry of Health has reported that street food is the second highest source of food poisoning.

Based on Pedoman Pangan Jajanan Anak Sekolah (PJAS) or School Children Street Food Guidance from National Agency of Drug and Food Control (NADFC), the Government is drawing attention to school children’s needs for adequate food with balanced nutrition for their growth and development.

According to 2013 survey by NDAFC, almost 99% of school-aged children commonly buy street food from around their school. Street foods contribute 31% of the energy and 27% of the protein in their recommended daily intake, and 15-20% of their daily nutrient requirement.

“Its not necessary for the consumers now to go to the food merchants to buy food. But this lifestyle needs to follow good practices especially to produce food and distribute to the consumers for it remains safe and nutritious, "said the Head of the National Agency for Drug and Food Control, Penny K. Lukito.” National Agency of Food and Drug Control (NDAFC) head Penny M Lukito

Healthy DIETS in Indonesia

Indonesia has one of the world’s highest consumption levels of fish as well as a diversity of high-protein soy products such as tahu and tempeh. But, meat and dairy consumption are low by global standards, but vary among cultural groups, although consumption is growing as incomes rise.  Rates of fruit and vegetable consumption are less than half of the nationally recommended daily intake and are declining quite fast. 

Nutritious foods that constitute a healthy diet are not so available or affordable for many people. And the actions that I have described today are needed right through the food chain to reduce costs and ensure healthy and sustainable diets accessible and affordable to everyone, as well to reduce the food loss and waste.

“ “Healthy diets are not readily available or affordable for many people. At the same time, many aren’t aware of what constitutes a healthy diet. The information on what to eat and drink to stay healthy should be accessible to everyone, as well as awareness of food waste and loss”WFP Representative Christa Räder.

The good news is that affordable solutions exist to reduce all forms of malnutrition, but they require a combination of greater global commitment and local action. FAO Representative Stephen Rudgard said “Everyone has a role to play in eradicating hunger and malnutrition, and improving the quality of street food is a major element of that challenge.  The government and the people in Indonesia need to work together to make sure that healthy and nutritious food is accessible and affordable for all.”