Only certain types of fish contain formaldehyde, and they are found at all markets in Batam city.Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) Office in Batam, Riau Islands, has detected hazardous substances, such as borax and formaldehyde, in salted fish and chips sold in local markets.
The finding of hazardous substances was based on the results of a test conducted on 197 samples taken from 22 markets in the city, head of the Batam BPOM Office, Lintang Purba, said in Batam on Friday.
"Nearly 42 percent or 84 samples did not meet the provisions, with 67 samples containing borax, 16 samples containing formaldehyde, and 1 sample containing rodamin. Most (of the contaminated items) were chips and salted fish," he informed.
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Formaldehyde was detected in salted jambal and kakap fish.
"Only certain types of fish contain formaldehyde, and they are found at all markets in Batam city,” he said.
One can tell if a fish contains formaldehyde if a fly alights on it and the fish looks whiter and smells pungent, he added.
"Lastly, if pressed, the fish will not be easily damaged," he said.
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However, it is not easy to make a distinction between chips that contain and do not contain borax, he added.
Based on the finding, he said he has called on market operators, the industry and trade office, and the marine and fishery quarantine office in Batam to cooperate with the BPOM Office to trace the source of hazardous substances found in salted fish and chips.
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Translator: Ilham Yude Pratama, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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