YLKI Asks BPOM For Direct Inspection To The Field Regarding The Rise Of Illegal Food Products From China

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI) has asked the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to inspect the field regarding the rise of illegal food products from China circulating in the midst of society.

It aims to reduce the risk of the adverse effects of illegal food circulation from China.

"I hope that BPOM will also have field inspections to curb products that are illegal in the community," said YLKI researcher Niti Emiliana in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, August 6.

Moreover, YLKI has found many imported products that do not meet the entry standards to Indonesia in large retailers. One of the things that YLKI found was imported food that did not include labels on packaging using Indonesian.

In fact, based on Law Number 18 of 2012, it is clear that all imported foods that enter must include labels in Indonesian on their packaging. That way, the public can know for sure the content of these products.

"YLKI also found that some of these products labeled as not including Indonesian," said Niti.

YLKI's findings regarding the absence of Indonesian-language labels on products sold by big retailers are quite worrying. Because, it is possible that more illegal imported products are found in traditional markets and street vendors.

"(The findings) are in modern retail, not on street five or traditional. Maybe there are more (products)," said Niti.

The request for BPOM to conduct inspections of China's illegal import food circulation is quite reasonable. In some time, cases of health problems were found due to illegal Chinese food products.

One of the cases occurred in 16 students of SDN Cidadap I, Sukaraja District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java in May 2024. The students experienced dizziness, nausea and vomiting after buying snacks from China branded Hot Spice Latiru and Latiao Strips.

A similar case also occurred in Sukabumi, where 28 students from Sukabumi were poisoned after eating a Power-branded snack in February 2024. After consuming the Chinese snacks, dozens of students from SDN Nangewer and Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) Nangewer experienced nausea and even fainted.

The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) cooperates with the Attorney General's Office (Kejagung) to form an illegal import task force to anticipate and dispel various illegal import practices including dangerous food and beverages from abroad.

"We ask for support from the AGO to create a team, immediately look to the field. Once found, of course we will submit law enforcement to the Prosecutor's Office, we can't afford it, so that we can reduce this illegal entry item to protect the industry," said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan some time ago.

He hopes that the task force can be formed soon. According to him, currently imports of illegal products entering Indonesia have entered a dangerous level.