TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Industry and Commerce Agency (Disperindag) of Batam, Riau Islands, recalled hundreds of canned mackerel that contaminated with roundworms in several local supermarkets.
“We recalled the product starting yesterday until date,” said Batam Disperindag head Zarefriadi Wednesday, March 21.
Disperindag team checked three supermarkets and collected the canned mackerels yesterday and would come to two or three other supermarkets today. The product is planned to be destroyed.
According to Zarefriadi, Disperindag has no right to revoke the product license because it is registered by the Agency of Investment and One-stop Integrated Services (DPMPTSP). However, his office and Health Agency would issue a recommendation letter based on the provision and mentoring in the field.
Read: YLKI Calls for Full Probe on Worm Infested Canned Mackerels
Meanwhile, Batam Deputy Major Amsakar Achmad claimed to have assigned a team to investigate the imported product which detected containing roundworms by Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM). The findings will further be examined by BPOM and Health Agency to reveal the impact of the parasite in a human body. “If the test turns out to be true, we will review the licensed product,” said Amsakar.
Earlier, BPOM Pekanbaru banned the canned mackerel under brand "Farmer Jack Mackerel" due to its contamination with roundworms. The roundworms is a parasite which can breed in a human body. The product imported by Prima Niaga Indomas, Batam, is registered under BPOM in 2016 which is produced by a Chinese company named Zhang Zou Tan Co. Ltd.
ANTARA