Padang Panjang City Government and BPOM Test 18 Takjil Samples at Padang Panjang Central Market

Padang Panjang, West Sumatra – The Padang Panjang City Government (Pemko Padang Panjang) together with the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) Padang conducted a food-safety check on pabukoan sold during Ramadan around Pasar Pusat on Thursday, 5 March 2026. From 18 takjil samples tested, all were declared safe and free from hazardous substances.

The checks were carried out by Pharmacist and Food Safety Inspector (Ahli Madya) Linda Gusrini Fadri of BPOM, accompanied by I Putu Venda, Assistant I for Government and Social Welfare at Setdako, and Sonya Themiarto, Head of the Health Office, with their teams.

Head of Health Service dr. Sonya Themiarto said samples were taken from various pabukoan sold by traders in the market area to be tested in BPOM Padang’s mobile laboratory.

Testing used rapid assays to detect potential hazardous substances such as formalin, borax, Rhodamine B (a red textile dye) and methanil yellow (a yellow textile dye).

“From the examination results of the 18 samples, none were indicated to contain any hazardous materials,” she said on Sunday, 8 March.

In addition to sampling, officers also provided education to traders on maintaining cleanliness and safety in processing and serving foods. Education was also given to the public to be more careful when selecting safe foods to consume.

I Putu Venda praised the synergy between the City Government and BPOM in ensuring food safety during Ramadan. He said the surveillance is important to give the public confidence who observe the fasting.

“We urge traders to ensure the foods sold are clean, of good quality, and free from hazardous substances. To the public, let us be more discerning and prudent in choosing pabukoan during Ramadan,” he said.