UNS – Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) collaborated with the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to raise awareness and knowledge, particularly among students, about the importance of safe and high-quality food. This collaboration is part of the “Safe Food Goes to Campus” (PAGC) program, which aims to educate young people on food safety.

The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Building, BPOM RI, on Monday (9/12/2024). UNS Rector, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr. M.Si., emphasized the program’s significance, highlighting that students are expected to learn key aspects of food safety, including how to read product labels, identify safe food, and educate surrounding communities on the importance of choosing food that meets safety standards. Through this initiative, UNS and BPOM aim to foster awareness about the significance of consuming healthy and safe food among students, who are seen as agents of change within society.

“This collaboration also aims to foster a campus environment that prioritizes health and food safety. Additionally, UNS students will gain insights into BPOM‘s role in monitoring food and pharmaceutical products in Indonesia and the regulations governing these products,” Prof. Hartono said.

PAGC is designed to provide students with knowledge about food safety and teach them to assess and identify safe food products. BPOM contributes by sharing detailed information on food safety regulations, methods for inspecting product labels, and the risks of consuming unsafe food. “This program encourages students to think critically when selecting food that aligns with safety standards,” Prof. Hartono added.

By increasing students’ knowledge and awareness of food safety issues, the program aims to create a campus community that prioritizes health and safety in food consumption. Students are expected to become agents of change, spreading food safety awareness to the broader community.

PAGC is integrated with the Certified Internship and Independent Study Program (MSIB) under the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek). Launched by BPOM on April 14, 2022, the program has facilitated collaborations between BPOM and 34 universities, public and private, by May 2024.

Since its inception, PAGC-MSIB MBKM has conducted five batches, producing 551 Food Safety Facilitators from student communities who have assisted 503 micro and small food enterprises. Currently, the sixth batch is underway with 125 new facilitator candidates. Moving forward, BPOM plans to expand the program’s reach, signing MoUs with 17 more universities in 2024.

BPOM Head dr. Taruna Ikrar highlighted the importance of this collaboration in addressing broader challenges within Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry, particularly the heavy reliance on imported raw materials. Currently, 94% of the raw materials for pharmaceuticals are imported, posing risks to supply availability, costs, and resilience.

This partnership aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. The program educates students about ensuring their food is free from harmful substances or does not fall below health standards. It also empowers them to advocate for healthier food consumption habits within their communities.

Additionally, by raising public awareness of the dangers of unsafe food, the program contributes to reducing food-related illnesses, advancing the broader objective of achieving good health and well-being as outlined in SDG Goal 3.

HUMAS UNS