DKI Provincial Government to Investigate Siomai Producers Using Sapu-sapu Fish

Illustration of siomai. (Wikimedia Commons-Serenity)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Food, Maritime, and Agriculture Directorate (KPKP) will trace the use of sapu-sapu fish in processed food products such as siomai and others and sold to the public.

Head of the DKI Jakarta KPKP Office, Hasudungan Sidabalok, said that supervision of the DKI Provincial Government's binaan business actors in Jakpreneur has been carried out periodically, especially regarding aspects of hygiene and food safety.

"In general, for the binaan jakprenuer binaan DKPKP, there has been training in hygiene and sanitation, even up to halal MUI," Hasudungan told reporters, Monday, April 20.

According to him, the potential use of sapu-sapu fish in food products is more likely to occur in business actors outside of government training.

Along with the developing issue, the DKI KPKP is preparing follow-up steps to ensure food safety is maintained. Supervision is not only carried out through coaching, but will also be followed up with action if violations are found.

"Yes. The steps are socialization, training, to enforcement," said Hasudungan.

The DKI Provincial Government previously was actively carrying out the capture of sapu-sapu fish in a number of waters because it was considered to damage the ecosystem. However, on the other hand, there is concern that the fish is used as a food ingredient.

Head of the South Jakarta KPKP Sub-Office, Ridho Sosro, revealed that his party would also carry out a surprise inspection of the siomai production house. This step was taken to trace the possibility of using sapu-sapu fish as a food ingredient.

Ridho said that food surveillance was actually routinely carried out every month. However, in the future, surveillance will be expanded as the population of sapu-sapu fish increases.

"Every month we actually carry out integrated food supervision. In the future, we will also direct supervision to trace the possibility of using sapu-sapu fish, including to siomai production houses," said Ridho.

According to Ridho, this step is anticipatory following concerns about the use of sapu-sapu fish for food. He reminded, this type of fish is risky for health because it can contain heavy metals.

"The impact of heavy metals such as mercury and lead is not immediately felt. However, in the long term it can trigger various diseases, including cancer," he explained.

He said that the sapu-sapu fish is known as a species that is able to consume various materials in the waters, so it has the potential to absorb harmful substances from the environment.

Even though socialization has been carried out, it is not impossible that there are still business actors who use the fish to be sold as food.

"We will continue to intensify education to the public so that they understand the dangers of consuming fish that are exposed to this," he said.