'Halal' worm products launched

'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)