BBPOM Finds Formalin Cumi And Rhodamin B In Kreneng Market

BBPOM checks food product samples at Kreneng Market ahead of Galungan and Kuningan, Denpasar, Monday, 17/11/2025. ANTARA/Ni Putu Putri Muliantari

JAKARTA - The POM Center (BBPOM) in Denpasar found six food products containing dangerous chemicals during a surprise inspection (sidak) at Kreneng Market, Denpasar, Bali, ahead of Galungan and Kuningan.

The head of BBPOM Denpasar, I Gusti Ayu Adhi Aryapatini, revealed that of the total samples examined, 27 percent of them did not meet the requirements.

"There are six who do not meet the requirements, a total of 27 percent are positive, three are positive formalin and three are positive rhodamin B," said Ayu Adhi, quoted from ANTARA, Monday, November 17, 2025.

Formalin And Textile Color Dominate

The BBPOM team walked through Kreneng Market and took 22 samples of products that were sought after by the public for holiday purposes, representing four types of hazardous ingredients (formalin, rhodamin B, bolaks, and methyl yellow).

Of the 22 samples, six products have tested positive for containing hazardous materials, three positive products for formaldehyde (13.5%), namely field anne, dry squid, wet squid.

Meanwhile, food that is positive for Rhodamin B (red textile color) there are three Lombok-related products that are also without distribution permits.

Ayu Adhi explained, during the test, the liquid in the reaction tube for the Rhodamin B product produced a pink ring on the tip of the surface, indicating a textile coloring.

Traders Only Developed, Not Confiscated

Responding to these findings, BBPOM decided not to confiscate the product. The steps taken are coaching and asking traders to stop selling, as well as return the product to the initial provider.

This action was taken so that the merchants' capital was not burned, while BBPOM followed the initial location of the production of these products.

The head of BBPOM Denpasar then appealed to the Balinese people to be extra thorough in buying products, especially ahead of the holiday where the potential for rogue producers or traders to sell dangerous and expired products is getting bigger.

"If Galungan is actually the one who snacks for sajen, always check the hygienics, how is the condition of the environment to be clean. If this striking chemical contamination, don't forget to check KLIK, namely packaging, labeling, permits, and expiration," said Ayu Adhi.

Luckily, BBPOM did not find any harmful substances in upakara snacks that must be available during holidays.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Kreneng Market Unit Market, I Gusti Ngurah Arya Kusuma, ensured that his party would follow up by reprimanding traders and conducting strict supervision.

"What is clear is that we told them to stop first, if there is no order for confiscation, so we urge them to stop the goods, reprimand them again if they are resold, we evaluate them," said the Head of the Market, who admits that supervision in the field is often like "cats and cats" with naughty traders.