F&B Magazine Vol.2 | Page 5

I Insight Asia The South-East Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFAST) Special Message in the research, system development and education of food and agricultural science and technology. This partnership gathers universities, government agencies, funding organizations and business sectors to focus on the improvement of food science and technology issues for Indonesia and, where appropriate, in other ASEAN nations. SEAFAST partners and cooperate with many national, regional and international institutions. SEAFAST experience + expertise = excellence in food safety T he launch of Fi Asia in Indonesia back in 2010 was marked with a close collaboration with SEAFAST Center. Partnering with SEAFAST Center and also IAFT – Indonesian Association of Food Technologists, an international scale seminar is presented in every year Fi Asia is held in Indonesia. As a content partner, SEAFAST Center has proven its distinction in providing insights into the food industry in Indonesia and its exposure to the region as well as international world. Every edition of the international seminar attracts world-class speakers, strong support from the regional associations and best of the best in the industry, making it the most-anticipated seminar for all food and beverage professionals. In addition to the seminar itself, SEAFAST Center organizes poster presentations, new product development competition, graduate student paper presentation and hosts FIFSTA meeting in concurrent. Fi Asia is very proud to introduce our partner, SEAFAST Center in this occasion for the industry to know SEAFAST Center closer and better. ‘ About SEAFAST Center The South-East Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFAST) Center at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) was established in 2004 as a Center focusing on improving food quality, nutrition and safety through science and technology research and education programs. However, the history of SEAFAST spans 30 years, starting with Food Technology Development Center (FTDC) established in 1979, then in 1985 the Inter University Center for Food and Nutrition was established and further developed into Center for Food and Nutrition Studies (CFNS) in 1992. Other centers such as Center for Food and Nutrition Policy Studies (CFNPS; est. 1987) and Center for Assessment of Traditional Foods (CATF, est. 1997) were established and developed. All these centers were consolidated and merged to form the current SEAFAST Center, bringing all the valuable expertise and rich experiences in food and nutrition together under one center, making SEAFAST a leading Center of Excellence in Food Safety. SEAFAST Center was established to develop national and regional partnership Every edition of the international seminar attracts world-class speakers, strong support from the regional associations and best of the best in the industry, making it the most-anticipated seminar for all food and beverage professionals. , 5 SEAFAST Center helps to facilitate, accommodate and support the food and agriculture sectors to achieve better food security, food safety and stability in Indonesia and the region (SEA) SEAFAST Center continuously facilitates, accommodates and supports the food and agriculture sectors to achieve better food security, food safety and stability in Indonesia. The Center (especially through the works established by previous centers of CFNS, CFNPS; and CATF) has been actively involved in contributing to the development of national policy, especially in food quality, safety, and nutrition aspect based on scientific approaches. Our work in consultation, research collaborations and other kinds of partnerships with institutions including Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Research and Technology, and The National Food and Drug Control, and national food companies have contributed to progress and development in the national food industry. We observed that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) accounts over 95% of the number of businesses dealing with food in Indonesia. Therefore we are committed with our outreach programs to continuously help and assist traditional/SMEs in improving food safety and production thus empowering small businesses to better compete and conform to requirements for quality and safe products. This approach contributes to increase the overall national food security, safety and quality in Indonesia.