In an effort to strengthen food safety assurance, the LPPOM MUI Laboratory emphasizes the importance of heat adequacy (F₀) validation as a crucial step in ensuring safe, high-quality, and thayyib (safe, wholesome, and sterile) food products. This science-based approach plays a strategic role in controlling the risk of contamination by harmful microorganisms, while also supporting regulatory compliance and increasing consumer confidence in food products circulating in the community.
Through a seminar titled “Heat Adequacy (F₀) Validation,” the LPPOM MUI Laboratory invited industry players, academics, regulators, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to play an active role in a joint effort to improve the understanding, competence, and reliability of laboratory testing, particularly in the field of food safety and quality. This event was held on December 17, 2025, at the Global Halal Center Building, Bogor.
The President Director of LPPOM, Ir. Muti Arintawati, M.Si., in her remarks, stated that this seminar has significant strategic value for the food industry. She believes that thermal process validation is a crucial aspect in ensuring food safety, particularly in controlling the risk of microbial contamination.
“We view this seminar as highly strategic, as thermal process validation is a crucial aspect in ensuring food safety. We hope this activity will not only broaden our knowledge but also provide immediate implementation for industry players and laboratory practitioners,” Muti said.
As a Halal Inspection Body (LPH), LPPOM continues to strengthen and develop its services. Now, through the LPPOM MUI Laboratory, food companies can conduct not only halal testing but also a range of product safety and quality tests required by industry to comply with regulations. This laboratory serves as a crucial gateway for the industry in complying with Indonesian regulations, including those of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM).
According to the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), Prof. Dr. Taruna Ikrar, M.Biomed., Ph.D., BPOM plays a strategic role in facilitating the development of the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries to ensure competitiveness and support national independence. In carrying out this function, the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) continues to provide reinforcement to ensure the safety of products distributed to the public. However, limited resources and costs remain major challenges for MSMEs in meeting all regulatory requirements.
As a form of support for MSMEs and a tangible contribution to strengthening the national economy, heat adequacy (F₀) validation is considered a relevant and strategic solution. By properly implementing and validating F₀, MSMEs can ensure food product safety, particularly by controlling pathogenic microorganisms, without relying on complex, expensive testing methods.
“This approach enables more efficient, standardized, and measurable food processing. Thus, MSMEs can meet BPOM food safety requirements while increasing consumer confidence and product competitiveness in the market,” said Taruna.
The Chairperson of the Indonesian Food Thermal Processing Forum (FPTPI), Prof. Dr. Ir. Feri Kusnandar, M.Sc., stated that FPTPI exists as a collaborative platform to strengthen the knowledge and skills of Human Resources (HR) in the field of food thermal processing, while encouraging the implementation of best practices based on science and industry needs.
According to him, through training activities, workshops, and seminars, such as heat adequacy (F₀) validation, FPTPI strives to meet the needs of industries ranging from MSMEs to large-scale industries, advancing scientific knowledge, innovating in machinery and utility technologies, and developing more efficient and effective packaging systems.
“Collaboration between industry players, academics, regulators, and MSMEs is key to ensuring the implementation of thermal processes that are not only technically efficient but also meet food safety and regulatory compliance aspects, so that the results can provide real benefits for consumer protection and the competitiveness of the national food industry,” explained Feri.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Ir. Purwiyatno Hariyadi, Professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) and Senior Scientist at the SEAFAST Center, explained that thermal process validation aims to ensure public health protection against fatal risks, such as botulism caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
He explained that Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that causes a rare but very serious disease, botulism. This disease occurs due to exposure to a powerful neurotoxin produced by the bacteria. This toxin attacks the nervous system and can cause muscle paralysis, which can be potentially fatal if not treated promptly, especially because it can interfere with respiratory function.
According to him, the proper implementation and validation of thermal processes are key steps to prevent this risk, while ensuring that commercially sterile food products are safe for consumption and meet applicable food safety requirements.
On the same occasion, Endah Nur Wulan, S.P., M.Sc., Head of the Partnership and Cooperation Strengthening Team of the BPOM’s Processed Food Production Supervision Directorate, explained that in the commercial sterile food industry, heat adequacy validation (F₀) is a critical element of the Risk Management Program (PMR).
This validation is in accordance with BPOM Regulation No. 27 of 2021 and aims to ensure that the sterilization process inactivates harmful microorganisms, thereby ensuring the safety of food products.
From a laboratory technical perspective, Muhammad Audrian, S.T., Manager of the LPPOM MUI Laboratory Calibration, emphasized that validation must be conducted for each product type, packaging size, and other critical factors. The accuracy of temperature measurement is a key determinant of the success of the sterilization process.
Calibration is carried out to determine the difference between the instrument’s reading and the standard value (error) and to determine the necessary correction values, so that the measurement results can be scientifically accounted for and comply with regulations.
“Validation of heat adequacy is not merely a regulatory obligation, but a strategic investment for the food industry. With accurate measurements and validated processes, producers can ensure product safety, increase consumer confidence, and maintain business sustainability amidst increasingly stringent standards,” explained Audrian.
Safe and thayyib food is not just a label; it is the result of a robust, integrated system from upstream to downstream. One of the biggest challenges in achieving this is the threat of contamination from harmful microorganisms, such as Clostridium botulinum, which often hides in the food supply chain, including imported products. In response, the LPPOM MUI Laboratory emphasizes the importance of early detection through a science-based approach with laboratory testing.
To support halal and safe animal food products, the LPPOM MUI Laboratory holds SNI ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation for laboratories from the National Accreditation Committee (KAN). This demonstrates its commitment to providing excellent and professional laboratory testing services.
The LPPOM MUI Laboratory is the first and only laboratory in Indonesia to offer one-stop halal and vegan testing. The LPPOM MUI Laboratory offers a variety of services, including halal testing, food safety testing, contamination testing for diethylene glycol and propylene glycol in pharmaceuticals, ethylene oxide testing for food, 1,4-dioxane testing for cosmetics, and heat adequacy (F₀) validation.
Interested in heat adequacy (F₀) validation? Ensure your food products are safe, healthy, and meet thayyib standards with trusted testing services from the LPPOM MUI Laboratory. You can easily access all testing-related information on our official website at https://e-halallab.com/ or follow our updates on Instagram at @lab.lppommui. Let’s create food products that are not only halal but also truly thayyib. (ZUL)
