Surabaya (ANTARA) - The East Java Provincial Government has claimed the top spot in the 2024 Fresh Food Safety Index (IKPS), released by the National Food Agency (Bapanas), outperforming Central Java and West Java.

The award was received by the East Java Agriculture and Food Security Agency during the World Food Safety Day celebration at the International Convention Center (IICC) in Bogor last week.

Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa stated that East Java scored 80 points, based on five assessment indicators: human resources and institutions, food safety assurance, trade, public health, and public awareness. She attributed this achievement to cross-sector collaboration and strong public participation, reflecting high public trust in the province’s fresh food safety.

The IKPS serves as a national tool for evaluating the safety of fresh food from upstream to downstream, and it was officially launched at the event.

Governor Khofifah highlighted that the achievement supports East Java’s regional development strategy, as outlined in its Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD), which prioritizes providing safe, healthy, and high-quality food.

To support this goal, East Java has implemented several policies, including enhanced monitoring of pesticide and hazardous chemical residues through routine sampling of fresh products in both traditional and modern markets.

Through the Safe Food Movement program, rapid testing is conducted in key production centers, such as apples in Malang, vegetables in Batu, and fish in Lamongan.

The province has also encouraged the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) by providing training and certification for farmers of key commodities such as shallots, chili, and rice.

These efforts are supported by the Food Quality and Safety Testing Center in Surabaya.

East Java also collaborates with the National Agency for Drug and Food Control (BPOM) to monitor microbial and chemical contamination as part of its science-based approach to strengthening food systems.

The IKPS achievement is seen as a contribution to the national goals outlined in the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

This year’s World Food Safety Day adopts the theme "Food Safety: Science in Action," highlighting the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders in building a safe, healthy, and sustainable food system.

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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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