Indonesian industry players are taking advantage of World Food Safety Day to harmonize food standards between ASEAN member countries. Internationally, food safety standards refer to the Codex Alimentarius (International Food Standards) managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). At the regional level, ASEAN-BAC plays a role in harmonizing food standard rules through cooperation between member countries. Program Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) Esther Sri Astuti is of the opinion that the initiative to harmonize regulations regarding food standards needs to review the benefits that can be obtained by Indonesia. If not ready to fulfill them, the harmonization of standards can become a non-tariff barrier preventing the entry of Indonesian export food products to the ASEAN market.Indonesia's ability and capability to comply with food safety standards in export destination countries plays an important role in maintaining the competitiveness of export-oriented Indonesian food products. The National Food Agency (NFA) prepares food safety standards based on scientific principles and the readiness of business actors. The FAO launched an official website on Good Hygiene Practices and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points to strengthen the fulfillment of food standards in foreign countries. The government is working to strengthen the quality of food safety, both for domestic and foreign markets. The NFA has launched the Information System for Fresh Food of Plant Origin (SIPSAT) and issued 19,746 distribution permits and certifications to exporters, importers and Indonesian businessmen.NFA Food Safety Competent Authority (OKKP) has also issued 620 food safety certificates for nutmeg, coffee, pepper and areca nut commodities with an export value of US$65 million. Arief hopes more distribution permits and food safety certificates will be issued to strengthen Indonesia's competitiveness in the global market.https://www.kompas.id/baca/ekonomi/2023/06/08/harmonisasi-standar-keamanan-pangan-bak-pedang-bermata-dua (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: Kompas - 9 June 2023