The case of finding red cayenne pepper in a traditional market, the police arrest a farmer

PURWOKERTO, KOMPAS.com – Members of the Banyumas police, Satreskrim, arrested a Chilean farmer from the Temanggung regency.

He is suspected of being the author of the case of the discovery of red chili peppers in three traditional markets of Banyumas Regency.

“For the actors of the Chilean painting, the investigators have secured them in Temanggung,” said the head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Banyumas Police, Kompol Berry, through a short message, on Thursday (12/31 / 2020).

Berry said the alleged perpetrator with the initials BN (35) came from Nampirejo Village, Temanggung Regency.

The police are currently investigating the farmer from Temanggung.

“Currently, officers and members are still at the scene examining witnesses,” Berry said.

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Previously, officials from the Food and Drug Supervision Agency (POM) found cayenne pepper that was allegedly painted red in various traditional markets in Banyumas Regency.

POM Banyumas bureau chief Suliyanto revealed that chili peppers with dyes were found in the Wage Purwokerto market, the Cermai Baturraden market and the Kemukusan Sumbang market, on Tuesday (12/29/2020).

“There have been sales of chili peppers that are suspected of not being food colors in various markets,” Suliyanto said.

The agents found chili peppers with the dye at the stands of five vendors spread over three markets.

“If you look at it physically, it looks like paint, because if you use food coloring it will be very difficult to stick. This is definitely not food coloring,” Suliyanto explained.

Physically, the color red is like wood paint and cannot be dissolved in water and alcohol.

However, the police together with the POM will carry out laboratory tests to confirm the color content of the chili peppers.

The head of the Industry and Commerce Service (Dinperindag), Yunianto, admitted that it is the first time that he has found colored chili peppers in traditional markets.

Also read: yellow cayenne pepper mixed with red paint, presumably for high prices

Yunianto suspects that chili with colorants is used to circumvent the high price of chili peppers that have been given in recent times.

“The price of cayenne pepper has increased recently. Previously, it was Rp. 44,000 per kilogram (kg), then it increased dramatically to Rp. 54,000 per kg, the highest at Rp. 60,000 per kg, today it has decreased to Rp. 56,000, “Yunianto said.