You Don't Carelessly Buy Takjil, In Tulungagung Officers Find Foods With Textile Dyes Content

TULUNGAGUNG - The Health Service (Dinkes) of Tulungagung Regency, East Java still found dangerous chemical substances in some takjil snacks menus sold by a number of traders who opened Ramadan takjil stalls.

"We took 104 samples today, and four of them were found to contain borax and textile dyes," said Head of Supplies and Pharmaceuticals at the Tulungagung Health Office, Masduki, as quoted by Antara, Friday, April 8.

The textile coloring agent in question is Rodhamin B. This substance is better known as a synthetic dye which is commonly used in the textile and paper industry.

The substance is designated as a substance that is prohibited from being used in food through Regulation of the Minister of Health (Permenkes) No. 239/Menkes/Per/V/85.

However, the use of Rhodamine B in food is still in the field. For example, bottled rambak crackers and syrup were examined on a number of food and beverage samples.

In the inspection results of takjil snacks in Tulungagung, Rhodamin B was found in fried sand crackers produced in the Blitar area. These crackers are usually bright red in color. Then, on the cassava crackers and syrup.

Meanwhile, borax is found in Puli crackers produced from Lumajang Regency. Borax is usually used to crunch the texture of crackers.

"We will confirm this first at the Unair Surabaya Laboratory. If it is positive, we will educate the sellers and producers," he said.

However, from the samples collected, none of the local Tulungagung products have been found.

Masduki appealed to residents to choose foods that have been equipped with BPOM and PIRT labels. Because producers who have pocketed a label from BPOM, will avoid the use of hazardous substances.

"If proven, the permit can be revoked," he said.