Indonesia: Imported fruit with fomaldehyde

On Wednesday, March 7, 2012, it was reported that Minister of Trade Gita Wiryawan is concerned that imported fresh fruit entering Indonesian markets is laden with formaldehyde.

Minister Wiryawan notes that the Government of Indonesia is very serious about limiting the entry of imported fresh fruits and vegetables. He is noted as saying that the government has found 19 incidences of pathogen contamination over the past 18 months. The Minister has been quoted as stating that Indonesians do not want to eat fresh fruit or vegetables which contain excessive levels of pesticides and are polished with formaldehyde or formalin.

The Government delayed the implementation of closing Tanjung Priok port to horticultural imports from March 19, 2012 to June 19, 2012 because the GOI understands that the private sector needs time to make necessary changes in advance of full implementation. The new Ministry of Agriculture Regulations Nos. 15 and 16/2012 will replace the regulations No. 89 and 90/2012. Regulations 15 and 16 will provide for the three month extension, although the new regulations will reportedly continue to limit the sea ports of Belawan, Surabaya, Makassar and airport Soekarno-Hatta as the only ports of entry authorized for imported fruit and vegetables.

Source: USDA