Raids Ahead Of Eid 2023, Maluku BPOM Confiscates 7,654 Expired Food Products

BPOM Maluku Province supervises food during Ramadan and ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri (ANTARA)

The Maluku Province Food and Drug Control Center (BPOM) found and confiscated 7,654 food product packages that did not meet the provisions (TMK) in a number of food distribution facilities in nine districts/cities in Maluku.

"Temporary results of special routine food supervision during Ramadan and ahead of Eid al-Fitr, 218 items or 7,654 food packages were found, with a value of Rp. 42.1 million," said Head of BPOM Maluku, Hermanto, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, April 17.

He said the types of expired food include light drinks, salt, biscuits, noodles, candy, canned vegetables, milk, spices, tea, saos, bihun.

The most types of food expired were 528 packs of light drinks, 512 packaging seasonings, 483 packages of BTP.

Meanwhile, 36 items or 285 packages of food were damaged with a value of Rp. 1.6 million, with the highest number of food damaged with powder or liquid milk 58 packages, 33 packs of coffee drinks, 24 packages of vinegar, and two items or seven packages of food without distribution permit (TIE) with a value of Rp. 35,000.

He stated that the number of processed food distribution facilities that had been examined up to Phase V on April 14, 2023 was 149 facilities, 93 facilities or 62 percent met the provisions (MK), and 56 facilities or 38 percent did not meet the provisions (TMK).

Of the 149 processed food distribution facilities examined, there were food findings expired at 48 facilities or 32 percent, food damaged in 15 facilities (13 percent), and processed food without a distribution permit (TIE) in one facility.

The types of facilities examined consisted of 13 Distributors with findings in two facilities, 72 Modern Retails with findings on 27 facilities and 64 traditional retailers with findings on 25 facilities.

Hermanto added that special routine food supervision was carried out in six stages, starting March 13 -19 April 2023, with the target of TIE processed food, expiration, damaged (pumpet packages, rusty cans, torn).

The implementation of special routine food supervision will be carried out on April 14, 2023 (phase V) in Maluku Province by offline method.