The Food Technology Study Program of the Sumatra Institute of Technology held an International Webinar with the theme “Neo-Traditional: Utilising the Local Commodity for Traditional and Functional Foods” to welcome and celebrate World Food Day, designated by the Food and Agriculture Organization, on 16 October 2022.
For this international webinar, the ITERA Food Technology Study Program invited two speakers, namely Mr. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yaya Rukayadi from the Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, who delivered material on Indonesian Herbs and Traditional Foods as Functional Foods. In his presentation, he explained that functional foods can help prevent disease and protect the body, and can increase nutrient intake to keep the body healthy. He also explained that Indonesia is a country with great diversity of flora, fauna, and even foods that can be developed into functional food ingredients. In addition, he emphasized that now is the time for us to use local ingredients because, besides being cheap and easy to obtain, local food ingredients are just as good as imported food in providing health benefits to the body. By utilizing local food, we can create a strong, healthy, and intelligent generation.
The ITERA Food Technology Study Program also invited Dr. Orachorn Mekkerdchoo from the School of Food Industry, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang Thailand who discussed Thai Fermented Food. In her presentation, she explained the very diverse traditional foods of Thailand. Traditional fermented foods in Thailand are quite similar to those found in Indonesia and also have their own health effects. She also explained that many street vendors in Thailand now apply food safety to their carts, one way being a hygiene system with more enclosed carts, which also needs to be applied in Indonesia.
This international webinar was then closed with a prayer session and documentation. Through this webinar, it is hoped that Indonesian people, especially the younger generation, can think critically and utilize local food ingredients that give good health effects, as well as process food with an even better food safety system.
Have you ever tried Thai food? Which functional food would interest you the most?
