Central Java Police Dismantle Two Formalin Noodle Factories with Daily Production Capacity of 1.5 Tonnes

Central Java Police have dismantled two illegal noodle factories producing formaldehyde-tainted noodles with a combined daily production capacity of 1.5 tonnes in Boyolali Regency. One suspect, identified as WH (38 years old), has been named in the case.

The Criminal Investigation Directorate of Central Java Police, led by Senior Commissioner Djoko Julianto, revealed that the two illicit noodle factories were located in Cepogo and Mojosongo subdistricts. The operation was launched following public reports.

Djoko stated that raids on both factories, which belonged to suspect WH, were conducted on 10 March 2026. “The suspect has been engaged in production since 2019 until now. The production capacity ranges from one to 1.5 tonnes per day,” he said during a press briefing at the Criminal Investigation Directorate office in Semarang City on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

He explained that in practice, WH instructed two subordinates to mix 100 kilograms of noodles with one litre of formaldehyde. The suspect then sold the contaminated noodles at 12,000 rupiah per kilogram. “The perpetrator sold them to several regencies across Central Java,” Djoko noted.

According to Djoko, WH’s daily turnover amounted to approximately 12 million rupiah. The raids on both factories resulted in the seizure of significant evidence.

“Evidence secured from the production warehouse includes twelve containers of formaldehyde, each containing 20 litres. We also seized three blue drums previously used for processing the formalin-noodle mixture, and 25 sacks of finished noodles, each weighing 40 kilograms,” Djoko stated.

Suspect WH has been charged under Article 504 of Law No. 1 of 2023 (Indonesia’s new Criminal Code). The penalty carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment or a substantial fine under the highest category.