JAKARTA - Like a food that is given liquid nitrogen? The vapor sensation does make it different. However, it turns out that the addition of liquid nitrogen to ready-to-eat food products that are not in accordance with the procedure can trigger poisoning in consumers.
The Director General (Dirjen) of Disease Prevention and Control of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, said that inhaling too much steam produced by food or drinks processed using liquid nitrogen can trigger severe breathing difficulties.
"Liquid nitrogen can also cause cold inflammation and burns, especially in some soft tissues such as skin," said Maxi Rein Rondonuwu as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 11.
In addition, consuming disbursed nitrogen can cause the throat to feel burning, because the temperature is very cold and immediately comes into contact with the body's organs, Maxi added.
"In fact, not a few of the worst cases show that ice smoke can trigger internal damage to the organs of the body," he said.
The Ministry of Health has published information on the use of liquid nitrogen in ready-to-eat food products that are of concern and cause problems for public health, namely ice smoke or Chiki Ngebul which is a snack and is favored by children.
The product not only provides a cold taste, but also a mouth sensation that emits smoke, originating from liquid nitrogen or nitrogen liquid, which is nitrogen which is in a liquid state at very low temperatures.
"This liquid is clear, colorless and odorless, so it does not change the taste if it is used for food," he said.
Several incidents of food poisoning due to these products were reported from a number of areas, including in July 2022 a case occurred in children who consumed ice smoke in Ngasinan Village, Jetis District, Ponorogo Regency, which caused burns.
On November 19, 2022, the UPTD of the Leuwisari Health Center, Tasikmalaya Regency, reported that there had been a food poisoning KLB with 23 cases. One of them was referred to the hospital.
On December 21, 2022, the emergency room at the Haji Hospital in Jakarta reported receiving a 4.2-year-old male patient who came with a complaint of severe stomach pain after consuming a CHiki-type snack.
"The Ministry of Health has distributed circulars to all relevant agencies as an effort to prevent and increase awareness on the use of liquid nitrogen in ready-to-eat food to prevent food poisoning," he said.
The circular instructs provincial, district/city health offices, health centers and port health offices to provide guidance and supervision of ready-to-eat food products that use liquid nitrogen circulating in the local area.
Local governments are also asked to provide education to business actors and related parties about the dangers of liquid nitrogen to ready-to-eat food.
"We also ask the local government to provide education to school managers, children and the public about the dangers of liquid nitrogen in ready-to-eat food," he said.
Restaurants that use liquid nitrogen on ready-to-eat food products must be under the guidance and supervision of the local Health Office and related parties and provide information on how to consume safely to consumers.
Food Management Areas (TPP) other than restaurants, said Maxi, such as mobile hawker food outlets are not recommended to use liquid nitrogen in ready-to-eat food products sold.
If food poisoning occurs caused by the addition of liquid nitrogen, an investigation is carried out by the Rapid Action Team (TGC) in accordance with Minister of Health Regulation number 2 of 2013 concerning an Extraordinary Incident (KLB) of food poisoning.
The hospital coordinates with the local health office and provides a report in the event of a food poisoning KLB caused by liquid nitrogen.
The Rapid Action Team (TGC) reported the incident of food poisoning caused by liquid nitrogen to the Early Alert and Response System (SKDR) at WhatsApp (WA) number 0877-7759-1097.
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