Jakarta Maritime, Agriculture and Food Security (KPKP) Agency continues to routinely supervise rice traded at the Cipinang Rice Main Market, East Jakarta, which aims to maintain the safety of rice consumed by residents.

Alhamdulillah the test result is negative. That means the rice is safe for consumption

According to Darjamuni, Head of Jakarta KPKP Agency, the supervision carried out included taking 35 rice samples to test the chlorine content which may be added by business actors when producing rice until the rice looks white, clean and attractive.

"Alhamdulillah the test result is negative. That means the rice is safe for consumption," he expressed, Wednesday (8/19).

He explained rice as a staple food for the community has a high level of consumption thus it directly impacts the high demand for rice, including Jakarta.

Rice business opportunities are always competitive by offering various types of rice that are trending or are in great demand by the community.

"We also do similar action in traditional markets and supermarkets to provide protection for the rice consumption of the people of Jakarta," he stated.

He went on to say that chlorine is a chemical that can endanger the health of the respiratory system and damage body cells when mixed in rice.

Here are tips on how to choose and determine good and safe rice when buying unpackaged rice, namely:

1. Squeeze the rice before buying, but if a lot of it sticks to the palms, this condition needs to be watched out

2. The aroma of rice, healthy rice, has a distinctive natural aroma. If you find the smell of rice is very sharp and musty, it is better to look for another rice

3. Bite the rice, if when bitten it does not crumb and does not crumble means that the quality of the rice is good

4. The color of rice, avoid choosing rice that is too white, colored rice like this can be suspected of using chemicals to whiten it

"But when buying packaged rice, good rice is one that has been certified as Plant-Originated Fresh Food (PAST) or has a distribution permit from Jakarta Regional Food Safety Competent Authority (OKKD) and it clearly shows the packaging of the rice," he stated.

As for the information, the Cipinang Rice Main Market is one of the entry points for Jakarta rice before it was distributed to various retail markets throughout the Jakarta area.