BPOM to Prevent Fish Sprayed with Pesticide from Reaching Consumers

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Indonesia’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) said it would coordinate with relevant ministries to prevent salted fish allegedly sprayed with pesticides from being distributed and consumed by the public.

BPOM chief Taruna Ikrar made the statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, responding to a video that went viral on social media showing a man allegedly spraying pesticide on fish laid out to dry.

He said the video suggested that some businesses and fishers did not understand the dangers of using pesticides as a disinfectant to repel flies.

“We know these products contain many hazardous chemicals, and they do not disappear. The flies may take off when the fish are sprayed, but people will later eat the fish, putting consumers at risk,” he said.

“Secondly, we hope the products will not be distributed because they are dangerous. We have the authority to seize these products from micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as take action against those responsible,” Taruna Ikrar said.

He added that the incident underscored the importance of holding Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes on food safety, to help ensure that Indonesia’s young people grow into a ‘Golden Generation’ by 2045.

“BPOM’s principle is that food is not food unless it is safe. Food must be safe,” he said.