Expert Says Health Concerns Over Polycarbonate Reusable Gallons Lack Clinical Evidence

Dr. Handajaya Rusli, a chemistry expert from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), has stated that health concerns regarding reusable polycarbonate gallons are being deliberately amplified without solid evidence. He emphasised that new regulations for this type of packaging are not yet urgent, as public fears have so far been based only on theoretical potential rather than concrete clinical proof. ‘What has been discussed so far only mentions the potential, but no one has actually been able to prove it,’ he said. He explained that while all chemical compounds forming plastics are inherently toxic, the public need not worry because strict oversight by the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) and independent testing by manufacturers are conducted before plastic packaging is allowed on the market. Handajaya suggested that the emergence of the Bisphenol A (BPA) issue is closely tied to business competition within the bottled drinking water (AMDK) industry, noting that the concerns arose alongside the introduction of alternative single-use PET gallons. He also warned that the public practice of reusing single-use PET gallons is dangerous, citing instances where such containers had turned yellow from repeated use. Nugraha Edhi Suyatma, a researcher from the Department of Food Science and Technology and the SEAFAST Center at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), highlighted the technical superiority of reusable polycarbonate gallons, particularly their flexibility and resistance to cracking. He noted that polycarbonate’s higher glass transition temperature allows it to withstand washing at 60-80 degrees Celsius without surface damage. Responding to the controversy, BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar confirmed that all reusable gallon packaging currently in circulation is completely safe, as products granted distribution licences have met all safety requirements, including compliance with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI).