Outstanding Lecturer of IPB University Provided Information on Consumer Protection in Bogor Regency Elementary and Junior High Schools

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (IKK) of the Faculty of Human Ecology (Fema) IPB University in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, Bogor Regency carried out a Consumer Protection Socialization activity at SMPN 03, Cibinong (19/8). Participants who attended were teachers, students' parents, school canteen traders and 300 students.

Currently more and more variety of school snacks are circulating in the community and there are still many types of snacks that are not suitable for consumption, therefore it needs to be watched by consumers, especially school children as the nation's successors.

It often happens that food and beverage business people are only concerned with profit without paying attention to the impact caused by products that are not feasible but consumed by the community, especially children in schools. For example the use of formaldehyde and borax to preserve food noodles, meatballs, tofu and others as well as the use of textile dyes in food and beverage products such as cakes and syrup sold by traders both small and large traders.

The socialization activity was opened by the Head of the Bogor Regency Trade and Industry Office, Dr. Nuradi. In his remarks, Dr. Nuradi said that through the promotion of consumer protection activities it is expected that consumers in the school environment, especially teachers, parents and school children in determining the choice of types of food and beverage products so as not to be trapped by shape, color and taste.

"Business operators must ensure that the product is suitable for consumption in advance. Businesses must also be honest and informative, so that the products sold are fit for consumption. If not, business actors can be charged under Law No. 8 of 1999 concerning consumer protection, "he said.

Meanwhile, a guest speaker from the Department of IKK IPB University, Dr. Megawati Simanjuntak in her presentation emphasized how to choose and consume healthy, safe and nutritious snacks. The Lecturer with Achievement of IPB University also gave an understanding of the rights and obligations of consumers so that consumers avoid dangerous product traps. "Consumers must be smart before, during and after making a purchase," he said.

This consumer protection socialization activity will be carried out continuously including elementary and junior high schools in Bogor Regency as part of the collaboration between the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Fema IPB University and the Bogor Regency Trade and Industry Office. (NR)