Nutritious food is not always safe food. Behind every food product that reaches the table, there is a long process that determines whether it is truly safe for consumption.
Food safety is not established at the point of sale or through final packaging alone. It begins with production, processing, and distribution systems. This is where a food safety system becomes essential.
Why Food Safety Cannot Be Compromised
Food safety incidents remain a challenge in many countries, including Indonesia. Risks may arise from:
- Poor hygiene practices during production
- Weak control over raw materials
- Cross-contamination during processing
- Improper storage and distribution
Without a robust food safety system, these risks can affect public health, consumer trust, and the long-term sustainability of food businesses.
Food Safety System: The Foundation of Safe Food
A food safety system is a structured approach designed to ensure food safety at every stage of the food chain. It enables businesses to:
- Identify potential food safety hazards
- Control risks through preventive measures
- Maintain consistent product quality and safety
- Meet regulatory and market requirements
Two key components of this system are GMP and HACCP.
The Role of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
GMP establishes the basic conditions and practices necessary to ensure hygienic food production, including:
- Cleanliness of facilities and production equipment
- Control of raw materials and food additives
- Personnel hygiene
- Proper documentation and operational procedures
GMP serves as the essential foundation before more advanced food safety systems are implemented.
The Role of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
HACCP is a systematic, preventive approach to identifying, evaluating, and controlling significant food safety hazards—biological, chemical, and physical.
Through HACCP, businesses can:
- Identify critical control points (CCPs)
- Prevent risks before they occur
- Ensure consistent food safety performance
This approach shifts food safety management from reactive to risk-based and preventive.
Free Nutritious Meal Programs: Why Food Safety Matters at Scale
Large-scale food programs, such as Free Nutritious Meal initiatives, highlight the importance of food safety beyond individual businesses.
In such programs:
- food is produced and distributed in large volumes
- supply chains involve multiple stakeholders
- safety risks increase if processes are not properly controlled
Without a strong food safety system, large-scale food initiatives risk compromising the health of beneficiaries, particularly vulnerable groups such as children.
How GMP & HACCP Support Large-Scale Food Programs
In both national food programs and everyday food operations, GMP and HACCP function as critical safety safeguards.
- GMP ensures that kitchens, processing facilities, and food handling practices meet hygiene standards.
- HACCP helps identify and control critical risks from raw materials to processing and distribution.
Together, these systems enable food safety that is consistent, measurable, and auditable.
Food Safety as Part of ESG and Sustainability
Food safety is not only a technical issue but also part of corporate social responsibility and good governance.
Effective food safety systems contribute to:
- protection of public health
- transparency and accountability across food supply chains
- increased public and consumer trust
- stronger ESG performance, particularly within the Social and Governance pillars
Safe food reflects a company’s long-term commitment to sustainability.
Who Needs Food Safety Systems?
GMP and HACCP are relevant to a wide range of food sector stakeholders, including:
- Food and beverage manufacturers
- Food-related SMEs seeking market growth
- Raw material suppliers
- Brand owners and distributors
- Catering and food service providers
Food safety systems are increasingly essential to access markets with higher regulatory and quality expectations.
SUCOFINDO: An Independent Partner in Food Safety Systems
As a provider of Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services, SUCOFINDO supports food safety implementation through:
- GMP audits and advisory services
- HACCP audits and certification
- Food laboratory testing
- Independent verification against standards and regulations
With a data-driven and independent approach, SUCOFINDO helps organizations build credible and sustainable food safety systems.
Food safety does not begin on the dining table. It starts when production processes are designed, implemented, and continuously improved.
Because safe food is not a coincidence—it is the result of well-managed systems and responsible practices.
