The South Jakarta City Administration held a hearing with the Jakarta Regional Office of the Food and Drug Authority (BBPOM) at Gelatik Room, South Jakarta Mayor's Office.

The meeting aimed to ensure that food circulating in the community is free from hazardous substances as part of efforts to realize a Safe Food City program.

South Jakarta Mayor Muhammad Anwar said the hearing marked an important step, particularly during Ramadan when many seasonal vendors sell iftar snacks that may potentially contain harmful substances such as formalin, textile dyes, or other additives.

"In the near future, together with BBPOM, we plan to conduct direct field inspections targeting takjil vendors," he asserted on Friday (2/27).

Anwar added that the South Jakarta Administration and BBPOM Jakarta will establish a Food Safety Task Force under a Governor's Decree to ensure clear and effective supervision.

"Monitoring will be reinforced through outreach activities at schools and other locations requiring routine inspections," he explained.

He said the task force will involve several sub-agencies, including the Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and Small and Medium Enterprises (PPKUKM) Sub-agency; the Health Sub-agency; and the Food Security, Marine, and Agriculture (KPKP) Sub-agency.

"We will also engage local stakeholders, including on-site coordinators of assisted street vendor locations, to ensure these areas are free from hazardous substances that could endanger the public," he added.

Anwar urged all parties to educate the public early through social media and videotron displays about the characteristics of food containing harmful ingredients.

"The goal is to help residents distinguish safe food from unsafe products and support the realization of a Safe Food City," he pointed.

Head of BBPOM Jakarta Sofiyani Chandrawati said the meeting reflected the South Jakarta Government's strong commitment to ensuring the availability of safe and quality medicines and food for the public.

She noted that one of the key topics discussed was preparation for the Safe Food City program currently being developed.

"We see the Mayor's strong commitment to making South Jakarta a leading area in implementing the Safe Food City program," she stated.

She explained that the program represents the regional government's commitment to ensuring that food distributed to the public is safe for consumption, while also supporting improved public health toward Indonesia Emas 2045.

"The Mayor's input was very constructive and will be implemented soon. His response has been highly positive in encouraging synergy between regional agencies and BBPOM to realize safe, quality, and effective medicines and food in South Jakarta," she added.

She emphasized that realizing a Safe Food City requires the involvement of all stakeholders, from food suppliers to consumers who must be educated to choose safe products.

"This year, a Food Safety Task Force Decree will be issued to complement the existing task force," she stated.