TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Health Ministry has made assurance that the food and accommodation facilities provided for Indonesian pilgrims performing their Hajj this year in Saudi Arabia comply with health standards.

"The ministry sent a sanitary and food control team for this year's Hajj organization. We have examined all hotels by taking several rooms as samples," the Ministry's Hajj Health Centre Head Liliek Marhaendro Susilo noted, as per the statement received here, Saturday.

He explained that the team is tasked with performing health and environmental inspection of catering facilities and pilgrims' accommodations as a preventive measure against disease risks due to external contamination.

"The inspection (takes place) by direct observation and examination of the environment, which comprise temperature, air, illumination, cleanliness, and waste management standards," the official noted.

Other aspects examined at the Hajj pilgrims' accommodation include facilities, ventilation, clean water, waste, toilet, and vector control, he stated.

"We are striving to serve the pilgrims not only on curative and rehabilitative aspects but also preventive matters," Susilo affirmed.

Meanwhile, he explained that food safety inspection covered organoleptic testing involving the assessment of flavor, odor, mouthfeel, and appearance of food products; acid-base test; chemical test to ensure foods will be safe from formaldehyde; and production facilities monitoring.

"These tests will determine the food quality through food sensory tests. The testing can detect the risk of food damage. Hence, it can be prevented from being consumed by pilgrims," the Hajj health centre head remarked.

Susilo said that apart from food samples, the inspection would also cover the aspect of catering providers, right from the material incoming and storage to processing, food storage, and food distribution, to ensure all processes adhere to standards.

"Apart from the food flavor, food cleanliness and safety are also essential. Hence, our monitoring will encompass food preparation until the distribution processes," he remarked.

ANTARA

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