Formaldehyde-laced tofu still selling despite raids

Indah Setiawati , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 09/11/2008 11:01 AM | City

Tofu containing the hazardous substance formaldehyde is still being sold in the city's traditional markets despite several police raids over the past two years.

Jakarta Police narcotic directorate chief Sr. Comr. Arman Depari said Wednesday the police had arrested six people allegedly running two factories that produced formaldehyde-laced tofu.

The two factories, which are not related to each other, are located in East and South Jakarta.

The police charged the suspects with violating the health law forbidding the use of formaldehyde in food.

"They could face a maximum of 15 years in prison," Arman told reporters.

Short-term consumption of formaldehyde, usually used for embalming corpses, can cause headaches and respiratory problems in the short term. Over the long term, the carcinogenic substance can cause cancer.

In a joint operation with various city agencies, including the Health and Food Agency, the Industry and Trade Agency and Drug Monitoring Agency, police arrested Jecky Mulyawan, an owner of Harum Legit tofu factory on Jl. Cipinang Muara III, Jatinegara, East Jakarta, on Monday.

Wardi, Mundopar, Siman, Sutarno and Tukino were arrested on Aug. 28 for allegedly running the other factory in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta.

Head of the dangerous drugs and substances division at the narcotic directorate Adj. Sr. Comr. Krisno H. Siregar said Jecky's factory was able to process around three and a half tons of soybeans per day to make tofu. The factory made Rp 24 million every day.

"Jecky had around 60 workers in his factory, which is much bigger than the factory in Mampang. He is not related to those arrested in Mampang," he said.

Krisno said police and the agency had examined the ready-to-sell tofu in both factories and found it contained formaldehyde.

Police confiscated a total of 75 liters of formaldehyde in seven jerricans, production equipment, five sacks of soybeans and ready-to-sell tofu.

Poor consumer awareness is the main reason formaldehyde-laced products can be found at food stalls and markets across the city.

Formaldehyde can be added to almost any product, from candies that are made in factories to meat products sold in traditional markets.

The following signs could mean the tofu contains formaldehyde:
- The tofu is a bit tough and willowy.
- There are no flies around tofu containing formaldehyde.
- Tofu without formaldehyde remains edible for three to 12 hours at room temperature and around 24 hours in the refrigerator.
- Tofu with formaldehyde can stand in the open air for five to seven days.

Source: Health and Food Agency

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