Central Java Police Uncover Noodle Factory Using Formaldehyde in Boyolali, Production Reaches 1.5 Tonnes Daily
The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) of the Central Java Police Regional Command (Polda Jawa Tengah) through its Food Task Force has successfully exposed the dangerous practice of manufacturing wet noodles using formaldehyde as a food additive in Boyolali Regency.
Kombes Pol Djoko Julianto, head of Ditreskrimsus Polda Jateng, explained that the investigation began following information from the public on 4 March 2026 regarding the circulation of formaldehyde-contaminated wet noodles in several markets across the Greater Solo area.
“In response to that report, officers conducted sampling and rapid testing of noodle products on the market. The testing results showed the presence of a hazardous substance in the form of formaldehyde,” he said during a press conference at Ditreskrimsus Polda Jateng headquarters on Wednesday (11/3).
Following further investigation, on Tuesday (10/3) at approximately 02.00 WIB, officers conducted raids at two separate locations in Boyolali Regency. The first location was a wet noodle production facility in Cepogo District, whilst the second was a formaldehyde storage warehouse in Mojosongo District.
During the operation, officers apprehended one suspect with initials WH alias MTT alias AGR (38), a resident of Mojosongo, Boyolali Regency. Police also seized evidence including 12 jerrycans of formaldehyde each containing 20 litres, three empty formaldehyde drums, and 25 sacks of ready-for-sale noodles with a total weight of approximately one tonne.
Based on examination findings, the suspect was found to have ordered his workers to mix one litre of formaldehyde solution into every 100 kilogrammes of noodle dough to ensure the resulting product had an extended shelf life.
This illegal practice has reportedly been ongoing since 2019 with a production capacity reaching 1 to 1.5 tonnes of noodles per day, which were then distributed to various areas across the Greater Solo region.
A representative of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) emphasised that the use of formaldehyde in food products constitutes a serious violation of food safety standards. According to BPOM Regulation Number 22 of 2022, formaldehyde is strictly prohibited from being used as a food additive because it is toxic and dangerous to human health.
Meanwhile, Elhamangto Zuhdan, a representative of the Central Java Provincial Health Office, explained that formaldehyde cannot be digested by the body and over the long term can damage vital human organs.
“Formaldehyde is strictly prohibited in food because it cannot be digested by the body and has the potential to damage vital organs such as the liver over the long term. We will strengthen coordination with district and city governments to tighten supervision of food industry products so that similar incidents do not recur,” he stated.
Kombes Pol Artanto, Head of Public Relations of Polda Jateng, also urged the public to be more cautious when selecting food products available in the market.
“We urge the public to be more discerning when choosing food products and to immediately report to police if they discover suspicious food production activities in their neighbourhood,” he said.
For his actions, the suspect has been charged under Article 504 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning Food, with a maximum prison sentence of five years or the maximum fine in category V.
Currently, the suspect and all evidence have been secured at Ditreskrimsus Polda Jawa Tengah headquarters to undergo further legal proceedings.