The government (Indonesia) must be able to compete in the global market along with technological developments and the increase of human resources.
Labuan Bajo, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The Trade Ministry strives to improve the safety of Indonesia’s exported food products by participating in the 26th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) on May 1-5, 2023.

Director for Standardization and Quality Control of the ministry Matheus Hendro Purnomo noted in a press release received on Saturday that improving food safety of Indonesia’s products would increase competitiveness of the products.

He emphasized that traceability, an ability to keep track of food in the supply chain so as to accurately recall unsafe products, is one of the crucial concerns in the national food safety system.

“The government (Indonesia) must be able to compete in the global market along with technological developments and the increase of human resources," he emphasized.

According to the statement, Indonesia conducted some interventions in the preparation of guidelines for harmonizing the National Food Safety System between countries, guidelines for implementing remote audits and inspections, as well as guidelines for the authorities to identify food fraud.

The government also supports the preparation of new work proposals on traceability.

Purnomo expressed optimism that interventions conducted by the Indonesian government would generate food safety system standards and guidelines that can be utilized by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in facilitating their trade activities and increasing their market access.

As quoted from the press release, SMEs, such as home industries, are included as Food Business Operators (FBOs) that become the objects in the preparation of the guidelines.

"Hence, we carry out the interventions, so that the discussed guidelines will not exceedingly limit the application of (local) technology. Thus, the guidelines can also help small businesses, especially SMEs, who want to export," the Trade Ministry’s official explained.

The CCFICS is one of the committees under the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) tasked with developing CAC standards and guidelines on export and import product inspection and certification systems.

Meanwhile, the holding of the meeting was the mandate of the CAC in compiling international food standards and guidelines in consumer protection and ensuring the implementation of a fair food trade.

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Translator: Maria Prayudhia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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