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1.6 million packs of illegal herbal drinks confiscated in Jakarta
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National Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) head Penny Kusumastuti Lukito leads a raid on illegal "jamu" (herbal drinks) and medicine in Cilincing, North Jakarta, on Sept. 21. (Tempo/ M Julnis Firmansyah)
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llegal jamu (herbal drinks) have invaded Jakarta, leading to investigations and raids by the National Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).
Agency head Penny Kusumastuti Lukito said on Friday that her institution had seized 1.6 million illegal jamu packs in four different locations in Jakarta. Two locations were in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, and two others in Cilincing, North Jakarta.
The herbal drinks comprised 330 brands and did not have a distribution permit from the BPOM. Among the herbal drinks were Urat Madu, Tanduk Rusa, Cobra-X, and Chang Sang. The herbal drinks were claimed to aid in losing weight, easing sore and itchiness, as well as boosting energy, according to Penny.
"The illegal herbal drinks and medicine we seized were worth Rp 15.6 billion [US$1 million] in total,” Penny said.
The case began to unfold from a report of an illegal herbal drink and medicine trade at pharmacy Ang in Jatinegara Market in East Jakarta on Wednesday.
Penny said the agency would search for the main player behind the illegal business. "We’re still looking for the manufacturer as well,” she said.
The owners and sellers of the herbal drinks and medicine could be charged under Law No. 8/1999 on consumer protection, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a Rp 2 billion fine. (stu)
