# Indonesian school study proposes an integrated food-safety model, with pilot testing still ahead

> Discussions with 21 stakeholders in two regions informed GREENEDU NEXUS, a five-pillar framework joining curriculum, practical learning and school-food governance. Its effectiveness remains to be tested.

URL: https://foodradar.org/indonesian-schools-show-readiness-for-integrated-food-safety-model-but-implementation-remains-fragmented
Language: en
Author: FoodRadar Editorial
Published: 2026-11-01T20:52:13.654Z
Updated: 2026-11-01T20:52:13.654Z
Source publication date: 2026-08-20
Category: Regulation
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Русский: https://foodradar.org/ru/indonesian-schools-show-readiness-for-integrated-food-safety-model-but-implementation-remains-fragmented

## Two contrasting settings inform a needs assessment

A qualitative study published online in Public Health in Practice on 20 August 2026 explores how food-safety and nutrition education operates in Indonesian primary schools. Researchers collected data between April and November 2025 in Bandung City, an urban setting, and Gunungkidul Regency, a rural setting. The findings informed GREENEDU NEXUS, a proposed whole-school framework integrating food safety, nutrition and green-economy principles.

The team purposefully recruited 21 stakeholders for two focus groups: 10 in Bandung and 11 in Gunungkidul. Participants represented education, health, food security and agriculture authorities, school leaders, teacher working groups, nutrition and curriculum expertise. Individual interviews with participants in strategic or specialist roles complemented the groups. Indonesian-language recordings were transcribed and analysed thematically using NVivo 12, with collaborative review of coding and interpretation.

## Existing programmes were fragmented

Stakeholders described food-safety and nutrition content in science, physical education, environmental education and school projects. Gardens, waste banks and anti-food-waste campaigns offered practical learning opportunities. Canteen monitoring by health authorities was reported, but its consistency, follow-up and procedures differed between schools.

The reported gaps included structured learning modules, clear competency indicators and assessment rubrics. Participants described variable family engagement and nutrition literacy, unclear cross-sectoral responsibilities and a need to connect existing activities through a consistent framework. These findings reflect stakeholder accounts from the two selected settings.

## Five pillars connect the proposed response

GREENEDU NEXUS comprises standardised curriculum; experiential learning; safe and sustainable canteens; green behaviour and food-waste reduction; and partnership and advocacy. The framework draws on Health Promoting Schools, the Theory of Planned Behavior and Experiential Learning Theory.

Proposed strategies include grade-specific modules and behavioural assessment rubrics, student-led canteen audits, hygiene simulations, school gardens, canteen certification, nutrition labelling, waste banks, composting, parent education and coordination with local food systems. The framework table identifies expected behavioural outcomes. These are proposed components of a model that has not yet undergone pilot implementation.

## Pilot implementation and outcome evaluation remain ahead

The authors identify the context-specific nature of the findings and their reliance on stakeholder perspectives rather than direct behavioural outcomes as limitations. Informal food environments around schools were not explored comprehensively. They call for pilot testing and rigorous mixed-methods and longitudinal evaluation of student behaviours, school food environments, health outcomes, scalability and longer-term effects.

The study received a Riset Kolaborasi Indonesia 2025 grant through Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. The funding body had no role in design, data collection, analysis, interpretation or manuscript preparation. The authors declared no competing interests and disclosed using ChatGPT for English-language improvement, with scientific content and responsibility retained by the authors.

## Sources and rights

- [Translating food safety and nutrition policy into school-based practice: Evidence from Indonesian primary schools](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2026.100844?utm_source=foodradar.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_content=indonesian-schools-show-readiness-for-integrated-food-safety-model-but-implementation-remains-fragmented-en). Public Health in Practice. Cica Yulia, Ali Khomsan, Rina Rifqie Mariana, Ade Chandra Iwansyah, Delita Septia Rosdiana, Desiani Rizki Purwaningtyas and Desyane Ramadhina Sari (2026). Translating food safety and nutrition policy into school-based practice: Evidence from Indonesian primary schools. Public Health in Practice. DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2026.100844. © 2026 The Authors. CC BY 4.0. Editorial adaptation and translation: FoodRadar. [CC-BY-4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/?utm_source=foodradar.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_content=indonesian-schools-show-readiness-for-integrated-food-safety-model-but-implementation-remains-fragmented-en-license).

Adapted by FoodRadar.

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