Jakarta BBPOM Launches JakKonek to Support MSMEs
Reported by Folmer | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
The Food Drug Monitoring Center (BBPOM) in Jakarta, launched the JakKonek innovation to coincide with a talk show at the Jakarta Provincial Government Pavilion, Hall C1 Jakarta Fair Kemayoran, JIExpo, Central Jakarta yesterday.
There needs to be intervention to increase literacy
The launch of JakKonek and the talk show with the theme "Medicine and Food KIE Digitalization Strategy in Supporting Competitive MSMEs in Jakarta" presented speakers, namely Government Assistant, Sigit Wijatmoko and BPOM's Processed Food Supervision Acting Deputy, Erna Setyawati.
JakKon is BPOM's strategy for monitoring drugs and food to build a digital ecosystem in Jakarta. It also provides digital literacy for the community, especially business actors, in getting education and information regarding the products being sold.
BBPOM: Food Safety is Important to Prevent StuntingBPOM's Processed Food Supervision Acting Deputy, Erna Setyawati explained the current state of society has inadequate knowledge. Hence, it is easy to agitate around food medicine, not caring whether it is illegal or dangerous.
"There needs to be intervention to increase literacy. People must understand products by paying attention to legality, safety, quality, efficacy, nutrition, and benefits, not just because they are viral," she expressed, Monday (7/15).
She explained the development of digital technology can influence changes in lifestyle and ways of promoting a product. Digital promotions are often via social media networks that provide excessive testimonials.
"This promotion also encourages people to choose a particular product based on trendiness, appearance, fast effect, taste, or low price," she explained.
She added that BPOM and related stakeholders continue to supervise drugs and food from upstream to downstream by controlling the quality and nutritional aspects of drugs or food.
"This is done to ensure safe production, distribution, and consumption of quality and efficacy in creating a healthy society, strengthening the medicine and food industries," she added.
She asserted it aims to strengthen compliance with regulations and safety standards for food and medicine in circulation. So, business actors can firmly state that the products they produce are safe and competitive.
"The opportunity for illegal products to circulate will be smaller because people have high literacy," she added.
Government Assistant, Sigit Wijatmoko uttered the Jakarta Government synergizes with BPOM to routinely monitor the safety of food circulating in society.
This is done to ensure that the food ingredients used and management and packaging are safe," he uttered.
Then he appreciated the JakKonek innovation for MSMEs, especially in the processed food sector in Jakarta, where the public can gain more trust.
"Hopefully, it will have an impact on the economy and increase as well. Thus, the competitiveness of MSMEs in Jakarta will be higher," he hoped.
He added there were three main pillars of food and drug control in Jakarta. First, the Jakarta Government through the related regional apparatus organizations (OPD) routinely does random testing of processed food ingredients.
Second, the participation of the community who can provide information and reports that will be acted upon by the Jakarta Government.
"The third pillar is business actors who do not just pursue profits, but also ensure that every processed food ingredient marketed complies with permits and is healthy," he added.
Then if processed food ingredients were found to contain dangerous substances, the Jakarta Government and BBPOM Jakarta would take firm action.
"We'll investigate down to the supplier, intervene comprehensively, and ensure that it won't happen again," he closed.
