Yep, this chemical that “removes stains and neutralizes odors” is used as a food preservative in Jakarta
If you ever needed concrete proof that much of the food being served at kaki lima street vendors in Jakarta is toxic, this is it.
The Central Jakarta city administration and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) this morning conducted a surprise health inspection on street vendors along one of the capital’s most famous food streets, Jalan Sabang.
They took 16 food samples in for lab testing. The result is ominous for all kaki lima lovers.
“From the test, five food samples were proven to contain formaldehyde and borax. We have kept all the samples and we are going to ask the sellers where they get their supplies from,” said Dewi Prawitasari, head of BPOM Jakarta, as quoted by Warta Kota today.
The Central Jakarta city administration and BPOM won’t sanction the kaki lima vendors for selling food containing dangerous chemicals and preservatives. Instead, they claim they will educate the vendors and suppliers to prepare hygienic, non-toxic food to the public.
That doesn’t sound very convincing to us. Neither does 5 out of 16. We’d rather not take our chances from now on.
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