Restaurants in Labuan Bajo Inspected After Formaldehyde Found in Food for President Jokowi

LABUAN BAJO, KOMPAS.com – A restaurant in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, NTT, was inspected after it was found that formaldehyde contained in the fruit that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was about to eat.

The inspection was directly led by West Manggarai Regent Edistasius Endi, West Manggarai Deputy Regent Yulianus Weng, Head of the West Manggarai Trade and Industry Service Gabriel Bagung, together with the West Manggarai POM Loka team, on Wednesday (26/5/2023).

During the sudden inspection, the POM Loka team took samples of several types of food in a number of restaurants. Among them are Primarasa Restaurant, Mai Ceng’go Restaurant, and La Moringa Restaurant.

Also read: President Jokowi Almost Consumed Formalin Food in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai POM Workshop: Separated

Deputy Regent Yulianus Weng explained that the inspection was carried out following the discovery of formaldehyde in the food that President Jokowi and his family were planning to eat while on vacation in Labuan Bajo.

They want to make sure that this doesn’t happen again. Especially ahead of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo from 9-11 May 2023.

“Related to one of the fruits which is said to contain formaldehyde and will be served to important guests in this country. We want to make sure that the food in West Manggarai, especially restaurants, is free of food and drinks containing formaldehyde,” said Yulianus.

He said all restaurants in Labuan Bajo would have their food samples taken to be tested by the West Manggarai POM Loka team.

“Tomorrow we will continue again, we will check all the restaurants in Labuan Bajo,” he said.

The West Manggarai Regency Government, he continued, will take firm action against restaurants if formaldehyde is found in food.

“We will give a strong warning if we get it, even until we stop the permit. We don’t want any restaurants to interfere with preparations ahead of the Asean Summit,” he added.

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