JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS— The Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has mandated the recall of Okko Bread products after discovering the presence of sodium dehydroacetate, a chemical not approved for use in food. This decision follows a laboratory test confirming the presence of the substance, raising concerns about consumer safety.

The BPOM’s official statement, noted that sodium dehydroacetate was detected in samples of Okko Bread produced by PT Abadi Rasa Food in Bandung. This discovery has led to immediate actions to safeguard public health.

“BPOM has ordered the Okko Bread producer to recall the products from the market, destroy them, and report the outcomes to BPOM,” the agency’s statement.

This measure comes in response to BPOM’s inspection on July 2, 2024, which revealed that the producer did not adhere to proper food production practices consistently.

In light of the findings, BPOM has halted the production and distribution of Okko Bread. Further laboratory sampling and testing confirmed that the bread contained sodium dehydroacetate, which is not listed as an approved food additive under BPOM Regulation No. 11 of 2019 on Food Additives.

This incident underscores the importance of stringent regulatory compliance to ensure food safety. BPOM’s actions have been swift, reflecting the agency’s commitment to protecting consumers from potential health hazards posed by non-compliant food products.

Health experts have echoed BPOM’s concerns, emphasizing the risks associated with consuming food products containing non-approved additives. Sodium dehydroacetate is typically used in cosmetics and is not meant for ingestion, highlighting the severity of this violation.