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Synthetic rice issue affects traditional markets
The plastic rice issue affects traditional markets nationwide, according to a vendors association
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The plastic rice issue affects traditional markets nationwide, according to a vendors association.
'I have visited some traditional markets in Greater Jakarta and I have contacted some vendors by phone. I found that there was at least a 20-30 percent decrease in sales,' secretary-general of Traditional Market Vendors Association Ngadiran (APPSI) said on the sidelines of a talk show in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Saturday.
He said that most people who buy 10 liters of rice per month were buying less for fear it was blended with synthetic rice.
'Traditional markets have been struggling to phase out the stigma that they are dirty and supply basic commodities jeopardizing consumers. Now the people stay even further away,' he said.
The synthetic rice issue emerged recently when Dewi Septiani, a porridge seller from Bekasi, uploaded pictures of fake rice on social media after she was unable to cook the rice into porridge. She bought it in Tanah Merah traditional market in Mustika Jaya, Bekasi.
She claimed that her sister also got sick after consuming it.
The plastic rice believed to have been spreading in traditional markets has since been taken to the laboratory of state-owned PT Sucofindo and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM). PT Sucofindo has confirmed that the rice included polyvinyl chloride (PVC) usually found in pipes, as well as plasticizer chemical substances usually found in hydraulic tools and electric capacitors that could cause kidney, liver and lung problems and cancer if they are consumed. (fsu)(++++)
