Yellow Mi Indicated to Contain Formalin Found in Kebayoran Lama Market

One of the food samples containing harmful substances was found by the South Jakarta Food, Marine, and Agriculture Directorate (KPKP) in a number of markets, Jakarta, Monday (22/12/2025). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The South Jakarta Administration City Government found one sample of raw yellow noodles that was suspected of containing harmful substances while conducting stability and food availability supervision at the Kebayoran Lama Market.

The Mayor of South Jakarta Muhammad Anwar said that the findings came from the results of an inspection at the traditional market. According to him, the yellow noodles that were suspected of containing harmful substances were known to be supplied from the Kebayoran Lama Market.

"From the results of surveillance, there is raw yellow noodles that are suspected of containing harmful substances. It just so happens that the supplier comes from Kebayoran Lama Market," said Anwar when reviewing the Santa Market, Jakarta, Monday.

Following up on the findings, his party immediately coordinated with field officers and the National Agency for Food and Drug Monitoring (BBPOM) to ensure the content of harmful substances, which were suspected to be formalin.

Anwar emphasized that quick steps need to be taken so that the product does not circulate widely and endanger public health. He has also instructed related officers to immediately trace the location of the mi distributor.

"I have ordered officers to check the location of the distribution today so that the circulation does not spread," he said.

Furthermore, Anwar stated that if during the examination process, criminal elements were found, the case would be handed over to law enforcement officials. However, if the violation is still in the mild category, coaching will be carried out together with BPOM.

Meanwhile, the Head of the South Jakarta Food, Marine, and Agriculture Directorate (KPKP), Ridho Sosro, explained that supervision was focused on detecting food ingredients containing harmful substances, such as formalin, borax, metanil yellow, and rhodamin B.

According to Ridho, supervision is carried out together with the Police as a food supervisor. Thus, if violations are found, the investigation process can be carried out directly to the legal realm.

"If food items are found to be in violation of the provisions, they will be followed up in accordance with the applicable rules, including the possibility of legal proceedings," he said.

Throughout 2025, the South Jakarta KPKP Sub-Directorate has carried out supervision and monitoring at 28 markets, both traditional and modern markets, which are spread across 10 sub-districts in the South Jakarta area.

The supervision activities are carried out twice a year with a total target of 728 samples, consisting of 616 agricultural product samples and 112 livestock product samples.

This food supervision aims to ensure that agricultural and livestock products circulating in the market are safe for public consumption. Inspections include pesticide residue tests, formalin, borax, and other harmful substances, including testing the quality of animal products.

Pesticide residue tests are carried out to find out the possibility of residual chemicals in agricultural products, while formalin and chlorine tests aim to ensure the absence of the use of harmful preservatives in the processing and storage of food.