JPA Daily Buzz - Edisi 65 2026

page 3 This issue also highlights something much bigger: The people most affected are often not consumers. They are farmworkers. Children living near agricultural zones. Families exposed to pesticide drift over many years and that’s why this conversation has become increasingly emotional in California. Community activists in Pajaro Valley have spent years pushing for stricter pesticide controls near schools and residential areas. Some groups are calling for farming zones around schools to transition fully to organic agriculture. At the same time, others argue that modern farming simply cannot meet global demand efficiently without pesticides. So the debate continues. Personally? I’m not panicking. I’m not throwing away berries and I’m definitely not falling into conspiracy theories. But I am becoming more conscious. After reading more about pesticide-heavy agriculture, I’ll probably start diversifying where I buy produce from especially berries. Maybe more options from: New Zealand Australia Spain or organic-certified farms when possible. Not because I suddenly believe every berry is dangerous but because being an informed consumer matters. Honestly, tomorrow is Saturday. Most of us will probably head to the supermarket, pasar pagi , or grocery store at some point this weekend. So maybe this is simply a reminder for all of us: ✔ Wash produce properly; ✔ Read labels and country of origin; ✔ Don’t blindly trust viral posts; ✔ But don’t ignore legitimate concerns either; and ✔ Stay curious about the food we consume daily Sometimes the most important conversations start with the ordinary things sitting quietly inside our fridge. Dr. Diyana Hassim Head of Corporate Communications Public Service Department