Photo : Collected
A delegation encompassing policymaking positions relating to the food administration, that requires cross-sector representation, completed a visit to Indonesia, to study first hand the experience of a friendly nation with a similarly large Muslim population, in ensuring food safety through administration.
Cabinet secretary MD Mahbub Hussain led the delegation, with the ultimate aim of strengthening the food safety administration system of Bangladesh.
The aim of the 'exposure visit' was to observe the workings of the Indonesian food safety administration system and management at the central and local levels, and study its streamlined, single food safety licensing system.
The participants during the July 7-12 visit observed the role of government in promoting the agro-processing for domestic market and exportation, identifying the bottleneck in the current complicated food safety administration system in Bangladesh.
In Jakarta, the delegation visited Food and Drug Authority of Indonesia (BPOM) on 8th July and top management of BPOM welcomed the delegation to its head office. After presentations by BPOM, Prof. Dedi Fardiaz, IPB University, explained about the history of the single food licensing system in Indonesia, reflecting laws and regulations.
The delegation also visited BPOM reference laboratory and there was a discussion on establishment of lab and testing system.
In East Jakarta, the delegation visited BPOM Provincial office and provincial laboratory on 9th July. On the same day the delegation visited PT Indofood, which is the largest food processing company in Indonesia with annual turnover touching almost $7 billion in 2023.
On 10th July the delegation participated in a meeting with food business operators in Jakarta.
Cabinet secretary MD Mahbub Hossainsaid that they had observed the detail food safety administration system in Indonesia and it is really great experience on how Indonesia is implementing food safety system by avoidance of duplication through inter-agency coordination.
Mahbub Hossain also mentioned that Bangladesh should take proper initiative to streamline current complicated food safety administration system in Bangladesh, design a roadmap for demarcating clear roles and responsibilities of food control agencies to avoid duplication through better coordination and support food industries in Bangladesh for ensuring safe food in domestic and international market.
Among others, Ex-Principal Secretary Nojibur Rahman, Food Secretary Mr. Md. Ismiel Hossain, Director General of BSTI, Director General of DNCRP, Chairman of BFSA, FBCCI Senior Vice President, Joint Secretary from Cabinet Division, Project Direct and Secretary of BFSA, Director of Prime Minister Office are part of the delegation visiting Indonesia.
Messenger/Sumon
