Formalin In Food

The hottest issue in Indonesia this past week (except the PILKADA DKI issue) is the issue of formalin in food imported from China. There are about more than 39 of foods that tested and positively contain formalin.

Formalin is dangerous chemical substance for human body. In short term using of formalin can cause irritation in the inhaler system, nauseous, and burning feeling in the throat. And in the long term it can cause heart, cor, brain, pancreas, nerve system and kidney damages. The common characteristics of food that contain formalin: have a long storage time before it can be rotten (last fresh longer), fluffy, soft texture, and have brighter color.

The government has declare two rule for formalin, that is The Ministry of health rule number 472 year 1996 about dangerous substance for human health, and from the ministry of industry and commerce number 254 year 2000 about the commerce rule of import and dangerous substance circulation, Both declaring that formalin is a dangerous substance and the using of formalin have to be carefully watched.

This is the list of a few food imported form China that contain formalin :
Mr. Mike Coffee Candy, Coffee Candy Huijia Food, Gingseng Candy, Crispy Candy, Corn Flavour Gelatinous Candy with Vegetable Gel, Syrup Soft Candy Ronggui Soft Candy, Kabi Candy Xin Lian Xin Rui Qun (pink), Xiao Mi Mi Candy, Kabi Candy Xin Lian Cin Rui Qun (Green). red Cherry sweets, Guo Dan Shan Zha Guang Qi Xiang Foods, Thailand Style Zhancui Jiuzhi Ximei Plum, Thailand Style Zhancui Jiuzhi Ximei Olive, Jibao Brand Preserved Mandarin Peel, Lobster peanut Crysp, Yake candy, Preserved Prune Jibao Chen Pi Mei, Preserved Prune Dayau (blue), Flake Juice Plum Dayau (red),Preserved Prune Dayau (yellow), (red Kiamboy, white Kiamboy , White Rabbit Creamy Candy), dry Cherry's Plum , White Rabbit Soft Candy Manggo, White Rabbit Soft Candy Lychee, red Swammei sweets and white slice mango, Citrun Peel Candy, Fuji Fruit Candy, Fei Lu Pai Applem Huikang Holis, Suxian Peanut, Kana candy and Sanca candy.

WOW THAT'S A LONG LIST OF FOODS. Now days when everyone wants to get a lot of money with low cost, we as a consumer really have to be cleaver to pick what the best product for us especialy for our foods.