"We want to ensure the food consumed by athletes is free from toxic ingredients," one of the food security officers, Ilham Syahril Nasution, said in a statement on Sunday.
He informed that the food security team carries out daily visits to athletes' hotels to test the food.
Nasution then outlined several test parameters carried out to test the food, namely cyanide, arsenic, nitrite, formalin, borax, and methanyl tests, even pork-containing food.
"The main parameters are cyanide and arsenic tests. These two elements are highly prevent for food poisoning," he continued.
Furthermore, the test was carried out by taking samples of food served to athletes. Testing was also carried out directly at the relevant location, as Nasution did on Sunday afternoon.
"We check the safety of the food, not the nutritional intake. We already have our own officers to check the nutrition," he disclosed.
Previously on Saturday (September 14), the Head of Consumption Division of PB PON North Sumatra, Dedi Jaminsyah Putra, said his party would evaluate negligent food providers, including sending a warning letter to the vendor in North Sumatra.
"I have issued the first warning letter. If anything happens, I will terminate the contract," he reminded.
He conveyed this following the emergence of several problems in food provision at the 2024 PON in North Sumatra, such as late delivery.
In the 2024 PON in North Sumatra, PB PON is responsible for providing food for the organizing committee, sports support staff, volunteers, media, and VIP and VVIP guests.
Meanwhile, the food provision for athletes and officials will be handled by the accommodation provider, namely the hotel, Putra added.
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Translator: Tri Meilani A, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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