Ramadan snack raid in Jalan Panjang, West Jakarta: Officials find snacks dyed with textile dye

JAKARTA — The West Jakarta City Government, together with the Jakarta BBPOM, conducted a surprise inspection at Jalan Panjang’s takjil hub in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Thursday 5 March 2026, and found Ramadan snacks containing a dangerous textile dye. The finding came from two samples that tested positive for Rhodamine B, a textile dye prohibited for use in foods. West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah said the inspections aimed to ensure the safety of foods sold to the public during Ramadan, particularly in areas that are hubs for takjil sales. According to Iin, Ramadan consumption rises significantly, so food safety oversight must be tightened. ‘We are concerned to investigate this in the interest of food safety, so that the public can be assured of meeting their needs during Ramadan,’ she said. BBPOM Jakarta Head Sofiyani Chandrawati explained that a joint team collected food samples with staff from Kebon Jeruk Community Health Centre. Of 65 samples tested on site, two were found to contain Rhodamine B. ‘From a total of 65 samples collected and tested, two contained Rhodamine B,’ Sofiyani said. She revealed that the two positive foods were traditional snacks: kue mangkok and steamed sponge cake (bolu kukus). She noted that traders used textile dye to achieve a bright pink colour that is considered more attractive to buyers. ‘So these have been taken out from displays for destruction. And we will, of course, follow up to locate the main sellers and trace the distribution chain to cut it,’ she added. Sofiyani urged the public to be more discerning when buying takjil, especially by watching for colours that are too striking. ‘Sometimes colours like that attract people. Choose ones with more ordinary colours; hopefully they are safe without textile dye,’ she advised. She also reminded the public to beware of foods suspected of containing formalin, such as noodles.