JAKARTA - The Jakarta Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BBPOM) again reminds the public to be more careful when buying food products. Residents are asked to get used to checking packaging, labels, distribution permits, and expiration dates before buying food.
"Remember to check "KLIK" before buying food items and it also applies to cosmetics and medicines," said Head of the Jakarta POM Headquarters, Sofiyani Chandrawati, during a sudden inspection (sidak) of food at a supermarket in the Kembangan area, West Jakarta, Tuesday.
The appeal was made following the discovery of green-colored palm candy products known to contain formalin from the results of testing 16 food samples.
Sofiyani explained that in addition to laboratory tests, the presence of harmful chemicals in food can actually be recognized in a simple way, including from the aroma and appearance of the product.
"For example, knowing that it is usually soaked in a liquid in the market. Well, if there is formalin, the smell is already not good. So, if people who are sensitive can smell the bad smell of formalin. If the noodles, the noodles that are formalin are shiny and hard," said Sofi.
He added that the indication of the use of harmful substances can also be seen from the unnatural color of food, especially in products suspected of using textile dyes.
"There are foods that are suspected of using textile dyes, such as crackers, which are striking in color. Or if it's noodles, it's striking yellow," said Sofi.
In line with this, the Mayor of West Jakarta Iin Mutmainnah appealed to the public to use official government applications to ensure food safety before buying.
"So, people now before buying it check it first. And this is not difficult, in the application (name of food) can be checked. It is downloaded directly on each person's HP, it is very easy," said Iin.
He said that the BPOM Mobile application and the Fresh Food Information System (SIPSAT) from the Ministry of Agriculture can be a tool to help people shop for food more safely and wisely.
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