TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) said that Jakarta residents are most vulnerable to cancer, which is caused by food and snacks containing preservatives and harmful chemical substances.
Ironically, he said that those food and beverages sold that contain such substances are easily found in the city.
Ahok also admitted that he often found food or beverage that he wanted to buy contain textile coloring substances.
"Usually, some old shops sell Shanghai ice cream. The color can be bright red. In fact, it contains rhodamine B, which is used for textile coloring,” Ahok said in West Jakarta on Sunday (3/8).
He also shared his experience not so long ago when he reported a tofu produce who uses formalin in the tofu.
At that time, he asked his maid to make special noodle ala East Belitung for the post-Eid gathering and one of the food ingredients needed is tofu. He later found that the tofu contained formalin, which is usually used to preserve dead bodies.
Ahok said that he had reported the producer to the police. He also warned food produces in Jakarta not to commit crimes although it is only by adding preservatives to the food they sell
"I will take a harsh action against those who do so. If possible, I will close their business,” he added.
RAYMUNDUS RIKANG
