Jakarta Intensifies Food Safety Checks Ahead of Ramadan

Jakarta’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BBPOM) is ramping up surveillance of food vendors, particularly those selling takjil – traditional Ramadan breaking-speedy snacks – to ensure public safety during the upcoming holy month. The heightened inspections come after previous years uncovered hazardous substances in commonly consumed foods.

Past Concerns: Hazardous Substances Found in Food

In 2025, BBPOM Jakarta tested 147 samples of snacks from centers and modern retailers, finding that six samples (4.1 percent) did not meet required safety standards . Prior to Ramadan 2026, inspections at markets in Bendungan Hilir and Rawamangun in 2025 revealed takjil contaminated with formaldehyde and rhodamine B .

Formaldehyde, a toxic and carcinogenic substance, is prohibited in food due to its potential to cause irritation, poisoning, and cancer. Rhodamine B, also toxic, is often misused as a food coloring agent . Specifically, one sample out of 25 tested at Bendungan Hilir contained synthetic dye, while yellow noodles and stuffed fried tofu in Rawamangun were found to contain formaldehyde out of 19 samples .

Current Surveillance Efforts

BBPOM Jakarta initiated intensified surveillance of processed foods on February 18, 2026, targeting supermarkets, distributors, importers, and other food distribution channels . Current monitoring is focused on snack stalls in five areas of Jakarta: West Jakarta (Jalan Panjang), North Jakarta (Koja), South Jakarta (Karet), and Central Jakarta (Bendungan Hilir and Kemayoran) .

If hazardous substances are detected, BBPOM Jakarta will confiscate the food and trace its distribution chain, aiming to disrupt the supply of unsafe products. The agency will also provide education to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) found to be using harmful substances , .

Enforcement and Collaboration

In cases of repeated violations, legal action will be taken, as demonstrated by a previous case in 2024 involving a tofu producer . BBPOM Jakarta will coordinate with local Technical Implementation Units (UPTs) if producers are located outside of Jakarta, such as in Tangerang or Bogor .

On March 4, 2026, BBPOM officers inspected 39 takjil samples in the Gandaria Utara area, finding three samples containing formalin and textile dyes . The agency will trace the producers of these contaminated products .