The FooYoo 2026 – MeSTI Audit Exploration Program was successfully conducted through a collaboration between the Food Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology (PPTI), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the Food Safety and Quality Division (BKKM), Penang State Health Department. The program was organized under the Food Safety for Young Generation (FooYoo) initiative, which aims to cultivate a strong food safety culture among young generations.
The program involved 75 Food Technology students, who were divided into 10 small groups and guided by Food Technology Officers from BKKM. The factory visits and mock audit activities were conducted on 24 April 2026 and 11 May 2026 at several food manufacturing premises across Penang. The program also included a presentation session on 15 June 2026, where students presented the outcomes of their mock audits and discussed potential areas for improvement in food safety management practices.
Through this program, students gained valuable industry-based learning experiences by assessing various aspects of food safety compliance, including premises hygiene, food handling practices, food safety documentation, and compliance with the requirements of MeSTI Certification Scheme. The program also enhanced students’ technical knowledge, analytical skills, professional communication, teamwork, and critical thinking abilities.
The program supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger by promoting food safety and safe food production practices, SDG 4: Quality Education by providing students with hands-on industry exposure and experiential learning opportunities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration between USM, government agencies, and food industry partners.
The organizing committee would like to express its sincere appreciation to the participating companies for their support and commitment to student learning and industry-academia engagement:
- Dapur Sentral I-TEKAD Daerah Timur Laut
- Sin Boon Kee (M) Sdn. Bhd.
- Sin Boon Kee Coffee Factory
- RCAB Food Ventures Sdn. Bhd.
- Nyma Food Enterprise
- My Jinlong Sdn. Bhd.
- Produk Makanan Enak Gembira Sdn. Bhd.
It is hoped that similar initiatives will continue to strengthen partnerships between academia, government agencies, and industry while nurturing competent graduates who are ready to meet the evolving needs of the food industry.
