From Food Preparation To Hajj Prospective Food Distribution, Ministry Of Health: All Guaranteed To Fulfill Health Requirements

The food Sanitation and Supervision Team for prospective hajj candidates checks the quality and safety of food for prospective pilgrims in Saudi Arabia 2023. (Doc. ANTARA/HO-Kemenkes).

JAKARTA - Starting from the accommodation and food facilities for members of the 2023 Indonesian pilgrims who worship in Saudi Arabia, it is guaranteed that the Ministry of Health has met health provisions.

"The Ministry of Health has sent a Sanitation and Food Supervision Team to organize the 1444 H/2023 M Hajj. We checked all hotels by taking several room samples," said Head of the Haji Liliek Health Center Marhaendro Susilo in a press release received in Jakarta, Saturday.

The team is tasked with conducting environmental health inspections (IKL) at catering facilities and accommodation for prospective hajj participants as a preventive form in preventing disease caused by environmental factors.

"IKL is in the form of direct observations and examination of environmental media including temperature, air standards, room lighting, environmental cleanliness, and waste treatment," he said. quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, May 27.

He said the inspection of prospective hajj candidates was examined in terms of buildings and accommodation facilities, lighting and ventilation, provision of clean water, wastewater and trash cans, toilets, and vector control.

"We are trying to bring the congregation closer to services that are not only curative and rehabilitative, but also preventive in nature," he said.

Supervision of food safety for prospective hajj candidates is carried out with several stages of testing, ranging from organoleptics which include testing taste, smell, texture, and color to production facilities.

"With this test, the quality of food will be ensured through the acceptance of the sense or sensor test. This test can detect the risk of food damage, so it can be avoided before being consumed by prospective hajj candidates," he said.

In addition, the team also tested chemically to detect potential formaldehyde in foods that could harm consumers. Furthermore, acid-base measurements were also carried out.

If something unwanted happens, he said, the team will form a sample bank for a laboratory re-examination.

In addition to food samples, environmental health checks are carried out on catering providers. Supervision is carried out since the receipt of raw materials, raw materials stored, food processing, food storage, and distribution according to standards.

"In addition to the taste of food, cleanliness and safety of the food content, it is also very important. Therefore, we carry out supervision, starting from the preparation of food to distribution," concluded Liliek Marhaendro Susilo.