We often hear the issue of the usage of borax in meatballs and formalin in noodles. Apart from that, it turns out there are other things that need to be wary of, namely the content of Medicinal Chemicals (BKO) found in food or snacks consumed by children. This was stated by Dr. apt. Baitha Palanggatan Maggadani, M.Si., from the Faculty of Pharmacy (FF) Universitas Indonesia (UI).
As a country that has abundant natural wealth, Indonesia has various types of plants that are easy to cultivate. Indonesia has excellent potential to dominate local and global markets as a country that produces raw materials for traditional medicines from these plants. However, to achieve this, there are several aspects that need to be considered, namely the quality of raw materials, safety requirements, efficacy and quality.
“Safe and good quality traditional medicines must not contain medicinal chemicals or BKO. BKO are chemical substances that are usually added to traditional medicine or herbal medicine preparations to strengthen the indications of traditional medicine. However, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) still finds traditional medicinal products which are deliberately mixed with chemicals by the manufacturer to make them more effective,” said Dr. apt. Baitha, Chair of the FF UI Community Service Team (Pengmas).
Together with her team, she conducted outreach on dangerous chemicals in food and traditional medicine in Sasakpanjang Village, Bogor Regency, West Java. Based on the results of interviews with the head of the local RW, information was obtained that consumption of traditional medicine and street food among village residents was quite high. Therefore, in order to increase public knowledge and awareness, the service team presented a resource person who is an FFUI Professor in the Field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, namely Prof. Dr. apt. Hayun, M.Si., who is also one of the FFUI Community Service Team.
“BKO is a synthetic compound or it could also be a chemical product derived from natural ingredients, which is generally used in modern medicine. BKO is found in traditional medicines circulating on the market, due to low compliance by manufacturers with the provisions applicable in the field of traditional medicine, unhealthy competition in increasing sales of their products, and the public’s desire for a speedy recovery,” said Prof. Hayun in his presentation, on Saturday (4/11).
He further said that the danger of BKO is due to incorrect dosage and possible interactions between BKO and the active substances of traditional medicines, which can cause side effects. Some side effects include digestive tract irritation, liver or kidney damage, vision problems, or heart rhythm disturbances.
He added, in this case, BPOM continues to strive to eradicate the circulation of traditional medicines containing BKO. Some BPOM findings related to BKO in traditional medicine, namely in traditional medicine intended for rheumatic pain/gout/rheumatism, phenylbutazone, antalgin, dexamethasone, etc. are often added. In traditional medicines that claim to be used for slimming purposes, sibutramine HCl is often added. Meanwhile, in traditional medicines which are claimed to be used as male enhancement drugs, sildenafil citrate is often added.
Apart from BKO, dangerous substances in children’s snacks were also explained. These dangerous substances include borax in meatballs, formaldehyde in noodles and tofu, rhodamine B dye and metanil yellow. Prof. Hayun said that the dangers posed if children and adults consume these substances are nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhea and liver and kidney damage.
This activity also carried out a demo test for hazardous substances on samples that had been prepared by the team. Testing is carried out using a rapid test kit, which is done by dripping a substance to the sample to show a color change. Tests were carried out for borax, formalin, methanol yellow, and rhodamine B. The service team provided samples that had been previously treated with chemicals to show residents the color change when checking. Residents also tested their own roselle and butterfly pea flower tea using a rhodamine B test kit, and the results were negative, indicating it was 100% natural.
During its implementation, the Dean of FFUI Prof. Dr. apt. Arry Yanuar, M.Si., and Vice Dean for Research, Education and Student Affairs, FUI Prof. Dr. apt. Fadlina Chany Saputri, M.Si. were also present. In his opening remarks, Prof. Arry hoped that the socialization conveyed can be understood by residents, as consuming medicinal chemicals in inappropriate doses will have short-term and long-term effects that are dangerous to health. “We urge residents to be careful when consuming traditional medicines that do not have a certificate from BPOM, and to always monitor what your children consume,” said Prof. Arry.
Together with Dr. apt Baitha and Prof. Hayun, the FFUI Community Service Team consisted of Prof. Dr. apt. Yahdiana Harahap, M.Si; Dr. apt. Febrina Amelia Saputri, M. Farm.; Dr. Eng. apt. Taufiq Indra Rukmana, M. Farm.; and apt. Widya Dwi Aryati, M. Farm. Apart from that, there were also other additional members consisting of lecturers, education staff and FUI students.
