BPOM trains 100 scouts to champion food and drug safety

The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) in Surabaya is intensifying its efforts to protect the public from the risks associated with substandard drugs, cosmetics, and food products. This commitment is being realized through the 2026 Food and Drug Safety Pioneer Scout Cadre Training (SAKA POM).

The program has equipped 100 scout members with the knowledge and skills to become advocates for safe products. BPOM aims to broaden its educational reach, extending awareness to schools, universities, families, and the wider community. This initiative is a key component of BPOM's strategy to establish a more robust oversight system by employing educational methods and fostering collaboration with young people.

Yudi Noviandi, Head of the Regional Steering Committee for SAKA POM East Java and Head of BPOM Surabaya, inaugurated the training. He emphasized that effective oversight cannot be solely managed by BPOM. "Therefore, we are building a collective movement by training SAKA POM youth cadres who can become pioneers of drug and food safety in their respective environments," Noviandi stated. He added that these cadres will be equipped to identify compliant products, disseminate accurate information, and directly educate the public, viewing this as a long-term investment for BPOM.

The training involved 100 participants, comprising senior high school scouts and university-level scouts from various institutions in Surabaya. They received instruction in three core areas: simple testing of drugs and food, monitoring of drugs and food, and information dissemination regarding drugs and food. The curriculum is designed to empower participants to become educators within their own communities, promoting a culture of awareness regarding product safety.

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Because of that, we are building a collective movement by training SAKA POM youth cadres who can become pioneers of drug and food safety in their respective environments. They will be equipped with knowledge and skills to identify compliant products, disseminate accurate information, and directly educate the public. This step is a long-term investment for BPOM to expand educational reach and strengthen public health protection.