TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Setiabudi and South Jakarta Police revealed that there has been a number of 'harmful' ice cubes circulating in the market. "It was produced in a production machine, such as the one used to cool down construction machine," said Chief of South Jakarta Police Senior Commissioner Wahyu Hadiningrat.
Wahyu added that the ice cubes were sold for public consumption. Police, upon receiving information on the issue, delivered the cubes to the Health Ministry. It turned out that the ice cubes contain hazardous bacteria.
"Upon consumed, it can trigger numerous diseases," Wahyu said.
Andre Andika Putra from the Microbiology Sub-directorate of the Ministry, said that the ice cbues contain 70 Coliform bacteria per 100 milliliter. "Proper ice cubes contain only minus three," Andre said. "It also contains elements that can cause cancer [if consumed] in a long term."
Based on Tempo's investigation, the ice cubes factory is located in Pulo Gadung Industrial Compound, East Jakarta. Police have sealed off the factory and confiscate two tanker trucks.
Setiabudi Police Chief, Commissioner Audie Latuheru, said that the factory has been around for 15 years, producing 2,000 ice cubes per day. "The ice cubes were distributed all over Jakarta," Audie said.
NUR ALFIYAH | RAYMUNDUS RIKANG
