Jakartans warned of formaldehyde use in food Adisti Sukma Sawitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Piracy is not always about unscrupulous producers but also unaware consumers. The same goes for food safety. Poor awareness among consumers is the main reason formaldehyde-laden foods can be found at food vendors and markets across the city. Formaldehyde can be added to almost any product, from candies that are made in factories to less-controlled meat products sold in traditional markets. Activist Ida Marlinda of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) said as formaldehyde was odorless and tasteless, people could hardly notice its presence in their food. Formaldehyde in meat is easier to detect if a high concentration is used, as it turns the meat white in color and makes it virtually imperishable, she said. "It has been an unresolved issue for decades in the city, it's a difficult issue and the cases are too common," said Ida. The use of formaldehyde in the city is not only limited to manufactured products like candies and cosmetics; it is also used in raw foods and extends the shelf life of chicken meat, satay and meatballs. Vendors have been careful not to use it in their products following recent media coverage of the issue, but many still try their luck. Last Wednesday the agriculture, maritime and animal husbandry office in North Jakarta found three vendors selling formaldehyde-laden chicken carcasses at two traditional markets in the area. Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo said the administration must find a new strategy to eradicate the use of the chemical among vendors. "All officials in food safety-related agencies must increase their efforts to campaign the negative impacts of the chemical, in order to make people aware of the damaging effects to their health," he said. He said a massive campaign on the impact of consuming formaldehyde-laden foods and how to recognize products containing it was needed to spread awareness among the public. Meanwhile, the Food and Drugs Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has suggested to the Trade and Industry Ministry, as well as the Public Health Ministry, to add Bitrex to formaldehyde during its production process. Bitrex has a bitter taste and would make the formaldehyde more detectable in food. However, the ministries have yet to comment on the suggestion. I-box Tips for buying meat products: At traditional markets - If you buy chicken meat at a traditional market, ensure the chicken is slaughtered in front of you. - If you buy chicken livers, do not choose large ones as they are usually the result of liver problems. - If you cook chicken meat and find it has little or no taste and the skin is tight, this is an indicator it contains formaldehyde. - If you buy beef, make sure it is still bright red in color and has a seal from the local agriculture, maritime and animal husbandry agency. At supermarkets - If you buy meat products at supermarkets, make sure they are wrapped properly. Do not buy products if the seals are broken. Source: The Indonesian Consumers Foundation http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailcity.asp?fileid=20070905.C04&irec=3 mediacare http://www.mediacare.biz
