BBPOM Rapid Test For Borax Detection In 1,000 Coffee Shops In Aceh

Aceh Selebgram was guided by BPOM officers during a quick test of noodle products to determine the borax content, during the socialization of Tribakti Pangan Safe to 1,000 coffee shops throughout Aceh in Banda Aceh, Friday (5/8/2022). (ANTARA/Khalis Surry)

BANDA ACEH - The Center for Drug and Food Control (BBPOM) in Banda Aceh conducted a rapid test to detect food containing the dangerous ingredient borax in more than 1,000 coffee shops throughout Aceh.

Head of BBPOM Banda Aceh Yudi Noviandi said the rapid test was carried out considering that so far there were still coffee shops in Tanah Rencong selling food containing borax.

"There are several, but not many coffee shops where we still find their products using hazardous materials," said Yudi during the socialization of a program called Innovation Sanger Ureung Aceh, reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 6.

He explained that there are four harmful ingredients in food that are commonly used by the community, including metani yellow, rhodhamin B, formalin, and borax.

However, the results of surveillance in Aceh in recent years, the Acehnese are more specific on the use of borax, while the other three hazardous materials are always negative during laboratory testing.

"So we immediately intervened in a rapid test on borax, because what we have found so far is only borax," said Yudi.

Yudi said there were around 1,200 coffee shops that had been registered throughout Aceh, and had been targeted by 50 BPPOM officers for a quick test for borax detection.

A total of 700 coffee shops are located in the capital city of Aceh Banda Aceh, about 100 coffee shops in Aceh Besar, and the rest are scattered throughout the Aceh region.

Some of the foods tested were noodles, meatballs, ketupat, tempe crackers, fried rice, lontong to dumplings.

"Those are the products that we have tested so far we still get the harmful ingredients borax," he said.

According to Yudi, the test also aims to make people and tourists visiting the westernmost province of Indonesia feel comfortable and safe when eating culinary delights at every coffee shop.

"Coffee shops that have been intervened will be marked with a Sanger Ureung Aceh sticker, that the food and drinks in this coffee shop have been declared safe for consumption," he said.