'Halal' worm products launched

BOGOR (JP): The Sabda Alam cooperative, which has been breeding worms for years, has launched 20 products using worms, ranging from soft drinks and soap to medicine.

The cooperative's chief Ahmad Tuteng Supriadi said the soft drinks were sold for Rp 2,000 (US30 cents) per bottle, and cosmetic worm mascara for Rp 3,000 per package.

Medicine made from worms, he claimed, could cure cancer, hypertension and rheumatic diseases.

"The drugs are in capsule form. We sell them for Rp 20,000 per bottle," Ahmad said.

The cooperative has also introduced their own line of shampoo, tonic cream and soap, all of which contain worms.

"We're trying to get a license from the health ministry for these products," he said, adding that the group had received a "halal" certification from the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI).

The cooperative has about 26,000 members in West Java, East Java and Sumatra.

"We hope to expand our distribution chain for these products across the country," Ahmad said.

Besides worm breeding, the cooperative is also developing eels, fish and rabbit farming for use in their next products.

"Many people still feel disgusted by worms ... but they do not know the advantages of these creatures. That is why we are trying to introduce it to them through these products," Ahmad said.

Ahmad also said he will leave for Brunei and Malaysia soon to promote the uses of worms.

Members of the cooperative have been teaching villagers across the country how to breed worms.

Interested parties can contact the cooperative on Jl. Raya Jakarta - Bogor KM. 51, Cimandala, Sukaraja, Bogor. Tel. 0251 664 423 and 0251 655 773.

Breeding worms is not difficult as the lumbricus rubellus variety, eats food -- notably rotten vegetables and animal feces -- that is easily found locally. (21/edt)