Noodle Factory Using Formaldehyde Raided in Central Java, Producing 1.5 Tonnes Daily

Police raided a factory producing wet noodles adulterated with formaldehyde in Boyolali, Central Java. One person was named as a suspect in the case.

The Head of the Central Java Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Djoko Julianto, stated that the case began with reports from the public regarding the circulation of wet noodles allegedly containing formaldehyde in Boyolali. Police subsequently launched an investigation.

“We then conducted an inspection together with the community on 10 March and discovered a house that was indeed producing noodles commonly sold in markets and to the public,” said Djoko, as reported by detikJateng on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Police subsequently took samples of wet noodles from the market for testing using rapid test kits. The examination results showed the noodles tested positive for formaldehyde. In addition to the production site, police also found a formaldehyde storage warehouse in Mojosongo District, Boyolali.

One suspect with initials WH was arrested during the raid. He is suspected of being the seller or distributor of the formaldehyde-adulterated wet noodles and of instructing his workers to prepare noodle dough mixed with formaldehyde as a preservative.

“The suspect had been producing formaldehyde-adulterated noodles since 2019 with an average production capacity of 1–1.5 tonnes per day,” he explained.