These farmers paint green cayenne peppers that turn red because they are tempted by high prices

PURWOKERTO, KOMPAS.com – Police continue to investigate the case of cayenne pepper paint by a farmer with the initials BN (35) from Nampirejo, Temanggung Regency, Central Java.

The head of the Banyumas Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Kompol Berry, said that the painters of yellow bird-eye chili peppers turned red because the price of red chili peppers in the market was high.

“The reason is economic, the red pepper costs 45,000 rupees per kilo, while the yellow pepper costs 19,000 rupees per kilo,” Berry said when contacted by journalists on Thursday (12/31/2020).

Also read: Case of finding red cayenne pepper in traditional markets, the police arrest a farmer

The difference in price between the red and yellow bird’s eye chili peppers, Berry said, caused the alleged perpetrator to commit his actions.

“So, to take advantage of the high price, (the yellow bird’s eye chili peppers) are painted with Pilox (spray paint) red,” Berry explained.

Before the police, the alleged perpetrator admitted that it was the first time he had painted yellow bird’s eye chili peppers red.

“He’s been growing chili peppers since 2010, he admits this is his first time, because of the huge difference between yellow and red bird’s eye chilies,” Berry said.

Also read: Effects of Eating Red Painted Cayenne Peppers Found in Banyumas: Throat Irritation from Poisoning

As previously reported, the red chili peppers found in various traditional markets in Banyumas Regency, Central Java, were actually painted with spray paint.

To mislead buyers, Berry said, the alleged perpetrator mixed yellow bird-eye chili peppers that are painted red with real red chili peppers in a package.

Berry explained that in each packet of red chili peppers that weigh 30 kilograms, there are between 5 and 6 kilograms of yellow bird’s eye chilies that are painted red.