TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The research of the State University of New York and Orb Media on the bottled water shows that most drinking water brands contained microplastics. Tempo obtained a response from a representative of the brands that sell the bottled water tested in the study.
The following transcription is our interview with Rachmat Hidayat, Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Bottled Water Companies (Aspadin) on Thursday, March 15.
How does the association respond to the findings of Tempo and Orb Media’s bottled water lab test?
We as an association were caught off guard. But we continue to keep an eye on its development. What needs to be noted is that there is yet any scientific consensus on the effects of microplastics towards our health.
Read: Microplastic Study Govt to Improve Bottled Water Quality
Since when has the bottled water industry taken notice of issues on microplastics
Since one or two years ago, it grew to be a concern among our members. Especially when the issue regarding microplastic was widely covered by numerous media.
Do companies conduct internal tests to check whether the waters you sell contain any microplastic?
It is prohibited to talk about your own kitchen in the association. We are very cautious. It may have happened and several companies may have conducted tests since the concern about this issue sparked two years ago.
Following broad discussions on the research, what is the next step for the association?
We will continue to consult with the government as the regulatory authorities. We will report this information obtained by the global community to the government. But we do not want this issue to spark mass hysteria.
Read: Beware of Microplastics in Your Bottled Mineral Water
Consumers have the right to know that there is a foreign particle in the water that they consume.
Yes, we support that. Consumers in Indonesia and all over the world have the right to know. They have the right to be informed if something is dangerous or not. This should encourage researchers to look deeper into the dangers of microplastic.
INDRI MAULIDAR
