BPKN-YLKI Asks BPOM To Require The Inclusion Of Bromat Water Levels For Packaging

JAKARTA - The National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) and the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) have asked the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to require bottled drinking water producers to include the product's bromat levels.

"We ask that this bromat also have a label," said BPKN Chairman Muhammad Mufti Mubarok in a written statement quoted by ANTARA, Monday, March 4.

According to him, this needs to be done so that people do not hesitate to consume bottled drinking water, following previously the emergence of TikTok content creators who showed claims from the bromat lab test results of a number of mineral water in packaging.

The broth in Le Minerale is said to exceed the safe limit and far exceeds the BPOM provisions, even though the information is a hoax.

Next, YLKI reminded that transparency of information regarding the quality and safety of bottled water products is very important for consumer protection.

Previously, based on the results of the test conducted by the official Argo Industrial Center (BBIA), it was known that the Bromat Content on Le Minerale was only 0.4 PPB (parts per bilion) or far below the threshold.

Bromat is a by-product formed when drinking water is disinfected by the ozone process. The safe limit allowed according to WHO is 10 PPB or 10 micrograms per liter.

BPOM stated that the bromat levels contained in all bottled drinking water in Indonesia, including Le Minerale, have met security provisions, not exceeding the threshold that is dangerous for the body.

Even so, BPKN and YLKI still urge BPOM to carry out an independent investigation to prove this so that the public is truly sure.

"We urge BPOM to increase supervision of industries that issue products that do not meet safe standards, such as this bromat content," said YLKI Daily Management member Tubagus Haryo.

He said BPOM must also provide recommendations to business actors to comply with strict production standards in order to maintain product quality and consumer safety.

"We also invite consumers to be more selective in choosing bottled drinking water products and carefully examining the information listed on the label," he said.