Bontang Health Officials Conduct Food Safety Inspections, Remove Non-Compliant Products

Bontang City Health Service (Dinkes) officials, in collaboration with the Samarinda Food and Drug Monitoring Center (BBPOM) and the Bontang Cooperatives, Small, Medium Enterprises, Trade and Industry (DKUKMP) Service, recently conducted food safety inspections at four retailers within Bontang City. The inspections resulted in the removal of several products from circulation due to non-compliance with regulations.

Inspection Findings and Actions

According to Wina Methania, Daily Executive (Plh) Head of the Health Services and Health Resources (Yankes and SDK) at the Bontang Health Service, the removed products included items lacking distribution permits, those failing to meet permit requirements, and expired goods still being displayed for sale. “We have withdrawn several products due to the fact that they do not have a distribution permit, do not comply with the distribution permit, as well as products that have expired but are still displayed in stores,” she stated on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

This inspection is part of an annual routine conducted in partnership with BBPOM Samarinda. Detailed data regarding the specific findings is currently being compiled by BBPOM Samarinda for further analysis.

Ensuring Food Safety and Quality

The primary objective of these inspections is to verify that food products available to the public meet established safety and quality standards. The Bontang Health Office is urging residents to exercise caution when purchasing food items, particularly those without proper distribution permits.

“We invite people to always check before buying products. This is a simple step, but incredibly essential to protect yourself and your family,” Methania emphasized. Products lacking official permits carry an uncertain risk regarding food safety and quality, potentially endangering consumer health.

Ongoing Monitoring and Collaboration

The government of Bontang City aims to suppress the circulation of non-compliant food products through these routine monitoring efforts, safeguarding the health of its citizens. The Dinkes Bontang has been coordinating with BPOM Samarinda regarding the monitoring of latiao, a snack product from China previously found in schools and subject to a nationwide safety review in November 2024.

In March 2025, BPOM Samarinda also identified food items containing formalin in both Bontang and Kutai Timur (Kutim) during Ramadan market inspections.

Agung Kurniawan is currently the Head of Balai Besar POM in Samarinda as of September 2025.