TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Arief Prasetyo Adi, said the Food Safety Competent Authority (OKKP) will investigate Shine Muscat grapes circulating in the Indonesian market. The investigation responds to the finding of pesticide residue above safe levels on Shine Muscat grape products in Thailand. 

"This investigation includes sampling and laboratory testing to ensure the safety of products circulating in the Indonesian market," said Arief, as quoted from a written statement on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

Arief urged the public not to be easily influenced by unverified information. He also mentioned that Bapanas strives to provide the latest information regarding food safety, following applicable procedures.

Acting Deputy for Consumer Diversity and Food Safety Standardization at Bapanas, Yusra Egayanti, stated that they are bolstering regulations regarding Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for pesticides for food safety. "This rule has reached the harmonization stage, taking into account consumption and food practices in Indonesia," Yusra said.

Furthermore, Yusra mentioned that Bapanas has mandated the inclusion of serving instructions on labels to ensure the safety of consumed products. Yusra stated that these instructions also include the note "Wash before consumption" on fresh produce such as Muscat grapes.

She emphasized that washing fresh produce before consumption is necessary to reduce the risk of residues or contamination that may remain on the fruit's surface. Especially since grapes are commonly consumed directly without peeling the skin.

Previously, Shine Muscat grapes imported from China were banned from circulating in Thailand. This happened after the Thai Pesticide Warning Network (Thai-Pan) and Consumer Foundation announced that the grapes contained high levels of harmful chemicals.

Of the 24 grape samples, nine were found to be imported from China, while the remaining 15 were of unknown origin. 

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono, said the ministry is inspecting the Shine muscat grapes from China, which are circulating in Southeast Asia. “We are checking the safety of the products,” he said on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

Raihan Muzakki contributed to the writing of this article.

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