Consumer Awareness of Chemical Residues in Household Products on the Rise
Public awareness regarding the safety of household products is considered to be continuously increasing, including in the choice of dishwashing liquid used daily. The issue of chemical residues on cutlery and the potential for skin irritation has become a concern that is pushing manufacturers to present alternatives made from natural ingredients.
During the Jakarta Fair Kemayoran (JFK) 2026, an educational campaign titled ‘Piring Bersih Alami, Bukan Kimiawi’ (Naturally Clean Plates, Not Chemical) was held to encourage the public to be more discerning in selecting cleaning products for their everyday cooking and eating utensils.
Senior Brand Manager of Mayora Home Care, Bondan Abdul Malik, stated that consumer demand for household products is no longer limited to cleaning power but now also encompasses safety and comfort aspects. ‘We are seeing more and more Indonesian families complaining of skin irritation from daily exposure to chemicals in dish soap, as well as residual odours left on utensils even after rinsing,’ Bondan said in a statement on Tuesday (23/6/2026).
According to him, this trend demonstrates the public’s growing attention to products that come into direct contact with family cutlery. Consequently, manufacturers are beginning to introduce innovations based on plant-derived ingredients that are claimed to remove grease and fishy smells without leaving chemical residues. Bondan believes that the cleanliness of cutlery is not only measured by its clean appearance but also by the sense of safety when it is used again by family members. ‘Consumer awareness is evolving. They want to ensure that the products they use daily are not only effective but also provide a sense of comfort and safety,’ he said.
The educational campaign also featured artist and young mother Nikita Willy, who shared her experience in selecting household products for her family’s needs. According to Nikita, parents are now paying more attention to all products used at home, including the dish soap used to wash their children’s and family’s cutlery. ‘A good product is not only one that cleans optimally but also one that gives me peace of mind when used to wash the family’s eating utensils,’ she said.
In addition to education, the organisers presented a range of interactive activities for visitors, including a simulation of washing oversized plates and various games aimed at introducing the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of eating utensils.
Consumer behaviour analysts assess that the increased attention to the ingredients and safety of household products is part of a healthy lifestyle trend that is growing among urban communities. Consumers are no longer solely considering the price and function of a product but also its impact on family health and the environment. Through various educational activities at JFK 2026, the public is expected to better understand the importance of choosing household products that are safe for long-term use and support the family’s quality of life.