The Ministry of Agriculture Secretary General Hari Priyono said here on Monday that the international accreditation was needed by the laboratory of PT SIG, the first Indonesian molecular biotechnology company, to assist the development of national food products and security.
At a function to dedicate the new building of PT SIG here on Monday, Hari said Indonesia at present did not have internationally-accredited food laboratory and thus most exported food products were tested overseas.
"That is certainly detrimental to us if our food products for export are rejected," Hari said, expressing hope that the new largest private food laboratory in Indonesia could meet these needs.
He expressed confidence that with existing facility, supported by qualified human resources, the food laboratory could meet this challenge, and therefore international accreditation was needed.
"For the first process it can be started with the accreditation of Australia, China, and the European Union," Hari said, adding that agriculture remained an important pillar of Indonesia`s economy.
Therefore he noted that the agriculture should be supported by a credible and internationally-recognized food laboratory.
Meanwhile, PT SIG President Director Yahya Taufik said he was optimistic that the company`s food laboratory could gain international accreditation because it has eligible human resources and supporting facilities.
"Our target in the next two years is that the laboratory will achieve an international accreditation," Yahya said.
He said SIG, the partner of Food and Drug Control Agency, could
carry out food tests of around 10,000 samples per month because many food and beverage industries are utilizing the services of SIG for the purpose of their product registration and quality control.
"We also want to contribute to efforts of ensuring the availability of safe and healthy food," Yahya said.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
