West Java Police Uncovers Formaldehyde and Borax Noodle Factory in Garut

Evidence in the form of formalin and borax for the mixture of making wet noodles in the case release held at the West Java Police Headquarters, Bandung City, Thursday (19/2/2026). (ANTARA/Rubby Jovan)

BANDUNG - The West Java Regional Police has dismantled a wet noodle factory containing dangerous ingredients in the form of borax and formalin in Garut Regency, by naming a suspect with the initials WK as the business owner.

Director of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) of the West Java Police, Kombes Wirdhanto, said the disclosure of the case began with a report from the public regarding the alleged use of dangerous chemicals in wet noodle products in Cilawu District.

"We raided the location and found that the processing of wet noodles was carried out by adding prohibited additives," said Wirdhanto as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, February 19.

During the raid, the police found a number of evidence in the form of water mixed with chemicals such as formalin and borax in large quantities that were ready to be used for the production process.

"The water mixed with chemicals is then combined with the wet noodle dough," he said.

Wirdhanto explained that the suspect was able to produce around 7 quintals or almost 1 ton of wet noodles per day. From this business, the suspect reaped a profit of around Rp. 600 thousand to Rp. 700 thousand per day or around Rp. 21 million per month.

"During the eight months of operation, the total profit of the suspect reached almost Rp. 200 million," he said.

WK is a repeat offender of a similar case who was previously sentenced to six months in prison in 2023-2025. After being released in July 2025, the suspect returned to carrying out the practice in a different location.

"The person concerned has moved to five locations in the Garut Regency area to avoid being chased by officers," he said.

For his actions, the suspect was charged with Article 136 in conjunction with Article 75 paragraph (1) of the Food Law regarding the use of food additives exceeding the threshold or prohibited substances, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to Rp. 10 billion.