The Ministry of Agriculture officials pose with chicken icon at the exhibition to promote Ayam ASUH Programme (c) FAO ECTAD

Jakarta (9/6) - In commemoration of World Food Safety Day (WFSD), the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), together with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), invites the public to consume food products of animal origin that are safe, healthy, whole and halal, known as ASUH.

The peak of the commemoration of WFSD 2023 which was held at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Agriculture on Thursday (8/6) was very festive. The event was attended by the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL), FAO Representative for Indonesia and Timor Leste, as well as other ministries, agencies, and relevant stakeholders.

On this occasion, the Minister of Agriculture SYL said that this commemoration marks momentum in increasing our joint role in maintaining food security. "Food has a fundamental role in the sustainability of human life and safe food, which is the right for everyone," said the Minister of Agriculture SYL. Thus, according to him, all efforts to ensure safe food are absolutely necessary.

At the same time, the Director General of Livestock and Animal Health, Nasrullah said, stated that one of the government's efforts to ensure food safety is through Veterinary Control Number or Nomor Kontrol Veteriner (NKV) certification, which serves as a form of guarantee for the safety of livestock products for public consumption. “Standards provide guidance on hygienic food handling for farmers, including the measurement of residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs, to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR),” he explained.

Since 2006, Indonesia has been working collaboratively with FAO and USAID, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen food safety control systems by ensuring the safety of livestock products in Indonesia while effectively controlling the threat of AMR through encouraging the adoption of 3-zone biosecurity and hygiene-sanitation in farms.

Meanwhile, Yohanes Baptista Satya Sananugraha, Deputy for Health Quality Improvement Coordination and Population Development, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, explained that safe, healthy, and nutritious food is needed at every stage of the life cycle, since conception until old age. “One of the high-quality food ingredients for the growth and development of children in efforts to prevent stunting is animal protein,” he said.

A similar thing was also conveyed by Rajendra Aryal, FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste, which highlighted the importance of food safety for public health and well-being. Aryal said, “By upholding high food safety standards, we can save lives and ensure a safer food supply chain.”

Aryal further explained that unsafe food can also be produced by contamination of AMR organisms, which can potentially cause a silent pandemic. Therefore, the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials in all sectors must continue to be intensified. "Let us commit to upholding high food safety standards and working collaboratively to safeguard public health and well-being," added Aryal.