October 2, 2025 | 10:38 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is currently developing a test kit to detect spoiled food, which has become one of the causes of food poisoning linked to the government's free meals.
The Head of BRIN, Laksana Tri Handoko, said the tool will detect the presence of harmful bacteria or microorganisms in food.
"We are currently focusing on developing this test kit to support the free nutritious meal program (MBG), to prevent potential poisoning by checking whether the food is spoiled," said Handoko while attending the Biodiversity Management and Strengthening of Intellectual Property Rights for Sustainable Future forum at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
According to Handoko, the test kit is designed to be simple, practical, cost-effective, yet effective. He described this tool as a paper-based test kit that can be used to directly check the food prepared in the public kitchens.
He hopes that the test kit could facilitate the managers of the nutritional fulfillment service unit (SPPG) to inspect the foods.
But Handoko stopped short of detailing when this tool will be mass-produced and distributed. "Hopefully, it can be done next year," he said.
In addition to developing the test kit, Handoko said BRIN also mentioned efforts to develop food technology that can be utilized to support the MBG program.
For example, conducting extractions from agricultural products for more practical and durable materials, such as onion powder.
"The price fluctuation of agricultural products such as onions is quite high, so with the breakthrough of utilizing such technology, hopefully the prices will become more stable and allow the MBG providers to store it for longer," he said.
In the forum, the Chair of the BRIN Board of Directors, Megawati Soekarnoputri, mentioned that budget cuts must not affect the research sector immediately, citing risks of halting beneficial innovation.
"Please don't cut research funding. For example, a research project is about to enter phase three, but when it is between phases one and two and the funding suddenly runs out, it will definitely be discontinued," said Mega.
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