UI Health Expert Reminds The Importance Of Teaching Children To Read Packaged Food Labels

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - University of Indonesia Public Health Expert and Nutritionist Widya Fadila explained, the community, especially children, need to know how to read labels on packaged foods.

"People must continue to follow health protocols and become smart consumers in choosing safe foods. So it is important to teach a simple way for children to choose the type of snacks that are safe according to the BPOM's appeal, namely Package Checks, Labels, distribution & Expired Permits (Cek KLIK) before buying or consuming processed foods," said Widya Fadila, quoted from Antara, Sunday, June 11.

Widya explained, cases of mass poisoning in school children were mostly due to low hygiene in the processing and storage of snacks in schools.

As a result, children who are poisoned can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and difficulty breathing. Therefore, parents are expected to be able to teach their children to choose safe snacks according to Cek KLIK.

Here are four simple steps to teach children Check KLIK Snacks:

1. Packaging

Teach children how to view and choose packaging in packaged foods. For example, by teaching children to choose cans that are not porous or perforated. As well as showing examples of damage to canned packaging that should be avoided and the dangers that may occur.

2. Label

Introduce the child with the meaning of the label listed on the packaged food. It can start from the BPOM logo, important information related to sensitive food content such as allergen content.

Then for children with certain allergens, it is taught to read the composition of the product. Avoid hawker products with the words Containing allergen...

Teach children to recognize types of allergen triggers & how to avoid them as basic knowledge of their bodies.

3. distribution permit

Provide understanding to children that in Indonesia the sale of packaged food has a distribution permit issued by BPOM, which means that the food can be legally circulated in the wider community.

Packaged food products must have a distribution permit registration number. Such as BPOM RI MD/BPOM RI ML.

Meanwhile, P-IRT is a Domestic Industry Food Certificate, registration for distribution permits for products provided through the local Health Office.

4. Expiration

Teach children to search for and read EXP/BEST BEFORE writing. Usually writing dd/mm/yyyyy, month date, and year.

However, some also use the moon and year only.

Give an understanding of the importance of checking the expiration date and its impact if you eat expired foods.