ITS Rector Prof. Ir. Bambang Pramujati, ST, MScEng, PhD, welcoming partners and participants of the hygiene and sanitation training for food managers and handlers held by ITS.

ITS Campus, ITS News — Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) is fully supporting the strategic steps taken by the Surabaya City Government (Pemkot) to create a hygienic and safe culinary zone. This is evidenced by the two-day event titled “Training on Enhancing Knowledge and Skills in Food Hygiene and Sanitation for Food Handlers and Responsible Parties,” held at the Auditorium of the ITS Research Center Building starting Thursday (July 24).

On behalf of the Mayor of Surabaya, the Mayor’s Expert Staff for Community and Human Resources, Dr. Bisukma Kurniawati, MKes, welcomed this training. Bisukma emphasized that the food consumed by the community and tourists must be guaranteed to be clean, healthy, and fit for consumption. “Therefore, let us work together to maintain the quality of food and cuisine to realize Surabaya’s premier culinary district,” she urged.

Bisukma also noted that this training program represents a tangible collaboration between the city government, business operators, community organizations, and higher education institutions. Through this training, food handlers and managers will be prepared to serve as the frontline guardians of food quality. “This is a crucial moment in enhancing the competitiveness of Surabaya’s culinary scene, making it healthier, safer, and more sophisticated,” she stressed.

The Surabaya Mayor’s Expert Staff for Community and Human Resources, Dr. Bisukma Kurniawati MKes, gave a speech at a training session held by the ITS Halal Study Center

Meanwhile, ITS Rector Prof. Ir. Bambang Pramujati, ST, MScEng, PhD, also emphasized that this training program reflects ITS’s commitment to improving the well-being of the community, particularly food business operators. Previously, ITS has actively supported community business activities through various forms of community service. “One example is that in 2024, ITS assisted in the halal certification process for 1,000 business operators,” he explained.

Bambang explained that in implementing these community service activities, ITS always integrates religious principles with science and technology. As a result, the products presented to the community meet food safety and hygiene standards. “This training will provide benefits, inspiration, and motivation for business operators to deliver the best possible service,” said the Professor of Mechanical Engineering at ITS.

Participants in hygiene and sanitation training for food managers and handlers held by the ITS Halal Study Center

Continuing the presentation, Head of the ITS Halal Study Center Prof. Setiyo Gunawan ST PhD IPM revealed that this training was attended by 214 food business operators from various sectors. Among them were university canteen vendors, culinary tourism centers (SWK), meat markets, and restaurant operators. “Today’s training is part of a systematic effort to achieve better food service standards,” he said.

The man, who is familiarly known as Gunawan, said that this training was held to assist the government and business actors in implementing Minister of Health Regulation No. 14 of 2021. The regulation stipulates that food managers and handlers must have basic knowledge and competence in hygiene and sanitation.

Head of the ITS Halal Study Center Prof. Setiyo Gunawan ST PhD IPM delivering a report on activities at the study center he leads

Furthermore, to achieve these objectives, a series of materials were presented in the training session by top-notch speakers who are experts in their fields. Gunawan mentioned that participants will gain knowledge related to policies, environmental maintenance and food equipment, food production processes, as well as disease risks and management.

This training for food handlers and managers also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toward a better future. The goals achieved include Goal 3 on healthy and prosperous lives and Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production.

The Professor of Chemical Engineering at ITS expressed hope that through this training, food business operators can implement hygiene and sanitation practices at their respective workplaces. “Through collective efforts and commitment, we can build a healthy and high-quality food system in Surabaya City,” Gunawan emphasized optimistically. (ITS Public Relation)

Reporter: Ahmad Naufal Ilham