Hazards Of Liquid Nitrogen In Chiki Ngebul, BPOM: Being Swallowed Can Injure The Lambung

Deputy for Food Supervision of BPOM Olahsan, Rita Endang /ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) said that the addition of liquid nitrogen to ready-to-eat food products that did not comply with processing standards could endanger the body. "In principle, of course, it must be according to standards. The danger is that if it hits the skin it can be moisturized, then if it is consumed, it can hurt the stomach, especially if it is asthma," said Deputy for Food Control at BPOM, Rita Endang in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, January 12. Since January 6, 2023 until now, BPOM has been monitoring sellers of ready-to-eat food products using liquid nitrogen, such as nggebul chiki for further guidance. "The results of the supervision are that all liquid nitrogen products must require attention because they do not comply with standards. Monitoring throughout Indonesia, we do it in malls, markets, especially CFD (car free day) and night markets," he said. He added that BPOM has also issued liquid nitrogen risk mitigation guidelines for processed foods. He stated that one of the guidelines that must be followed by traders who add liquid nitrogen to ready-to-eat food products, namely having to attend training. "You must have the competence of how to handle liquid nitrogen," he said. Then, you have to use personal protective equipment (PPE), because liquid nitrogen is a dangerous item for the body. "So there are requirements for food handlers or sellers," said Rita. Then, he continued, food processors must also provide warnings that consumers must know. "When consumed, it should not be in a very cold condition, it must be ensured that the liquid nitrogen is lost. How to know? There should be no smoke, so it must be silenced first, it cannot be consumed immediately," he explained.