Labuan Bajo, NTT (ANTARA) - Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has ensured monitoring and securing of all food consumed by ASEAN heads of state during the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)."BPOM in the West Manggarai District branch will be involved in supervising and securing the food that will be served to the President and Vice President as well as state guests, who will attend the summit, as was done at the G20 last year," head of West Manggarai BPOM, Andirusmin Nuryadin, stated in Labuan Bajo on Friday. The 42nd ASEAN Summit will take place on May 9-11, 2023, in Labuan Bajo and will be attended by heads of state and delegates from participating countries. To ensure food safety for heads of state, BPOM West Manggarai will supervise the food to be safe from eight types of harmful ingredients, Nuryadin noted. He revealed that the agency will test eight parameters: Cyanide, Nitrite, Arsenic, Lead, Formalin, Borax, Rhodamine B, and Methanol Yellow. He stated that the surveillance system or food security for the food of the heads of state is conducted by testing the food three hours beforehand. baca-jugaRelated news: PUPR minister eyes completing ASEAN Summit infrastructure in early May If the tested food sample is safe from eight types of hazardous content, then the food can be served to the head of state, he remarked. In addition, the test results will be coordinated with the Presidential Security Force to be declared either fit or unfit to be served, Nuryadin remarked. "West Manggarai BPOM is committed to collaborate and synergize with related parties in strengthening food security in the West Manggarai region, including Labuan Bajo, both in terms of food supervision and testing," he remarked. Earlier, the West Manggarai BPOM had ensured that the food consumed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his family in Labuan Bajo was safe from eight types of harmful ingredients mentioned above. Nuryadin remarked that his agency had ensured food security at several points visited by the president and his family, including at the Komodo Airport transit points, Meruorah Hotel, Ayana Hotel, and Waringin Peak. baca-jugaRelated news: Local residents urged to support ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo Related news: Local community should follow ASEAN Summit policies: NTT Police Chief

Source: Antara News Agency