The East Jakarta administration and the Jakarta Drug and Food Supervisory Agency (BPOM), examined the availability and safety of food products in five traditional markets ahead of Ramadan, Thursday (3/9).

Stock is still in normal condition

Those five markets inspected were Perumnas Klender, Sawah Barat, Pondok Bambu, Ciplak, and Klender SS

East Jakarta Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Trade Agency (KUKMP) Head, Paruliam Tampubolon

"Some natural food ingredients increase in price. However, stock is still in normal condition," he expressed.

He explained some of the experienced commodities hike in price is chicken meat which was previously Rp 35,000 to Rp 38,000 per head, while vegetables increased by Rp 1,000, including chili and onions.

Agriculture Division Acting Head, Halimah explained in each market, the officers also examined 46 samples of food products, consisting of 22 samples of eight livestock products and 16 samples of fishing products.

From BPOM's lab test results, there were still wet cakes containing rhodamin B and yellow noodles made from formalin. Seeing this case, the vendors would undergo coaching in a bid to prevent the same case in the future.

"This is the government's effort to provide a sense of security for Jakartans in choosing food ingredients," she finished.