JAKARTA — The Indonesian Ministry of Health in a statement warned all parties to be more vigilant about Ice Smoke street food, also known as liquid nitrogen snacks because it is believed to contain excess liquid nitrogen.
In the statement, the Director General of Disease Prevention and Control, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu said the excessive use of liquid nitrogen on the food could cause health problems for the public.
"Ice Smoke or Ciki Ngebul is a snack that children love. When Ciki Ngebul is eaten it not only gives a cold sensation but the mouth also emits smoke.
"The smoke is caused by liquid nitrogen that is at a low temperature," he said in the statement.
He added, the addition of liquid nitrogen in the food that does not follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) can cause health problems or food poisoning such as frostbite which results in burns especially on some soft tissues such as the skin.
In addition, smoke inhaled from food or drinks that use liquid nitrogen can also cause severe breathing difficulties in addition to the throat feeling burnt due to extreme cold temperatures after direct contact with body organs or worse damage to internal organs.
Therefore, the Regional, District, City, Puskesmas and B/BTKLPP Health Offices as well as the Port Health Office will carry out the supervision of ready-to-eat food products that use liquid nitrogen.
"It is to provide education to traders, stakeholders, schools, children and the public about the dangers of liquid nitrogen in ready meals.
"For restaurants that use liquid nitrogen in food products must be under the guidance and supervision of the Local Health Service and related parties on safe use information for consumers.
"For food stalls (TPP), such as shops, it is not recommended to sell liquid nitrogen snacks in the food products sold," he explained further.
According to Rondonuwu, if there is food poisoning caused by the addition of liquid nitrogen, the case will be investigated by the Rapid Action Team (TGC) in accordance with Minister of Health Regulation No. 2 of 2013 regarding the Extraordinary Event (KLB) of food poisoning.
Earlier, three cases of food poisoning due to liquid nitrogen were reported. The first case occurred in July 2022 involving a child who caused burns due to Ice smoke.
While on 19 November 2022, a total of 23 people were reported to have been poisoned by Ciki Ngebul.
In addition, on December 21, 2022, the Jakarta Haji Hospital UGD reported receiving two and four-year-old children as a result of eating the food.
«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»
No comments:
Post a Comment