- AP Photo/Jacques Brinon
VIVAnews – Several European countries are undergoing an outbreak of Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) bacteria. This has even killed tens of people. However, it is signaled that the bacteria have not yet entered Indonesia.
“Therefore, food from Europe is not necessarily banned,” said Thomas Darmawan, an official of Food and Beverage Entrepreneur Association (GAPMMI), when contacted by VIVAnews.com in Jakarta, Wednesday, June 8, 2011.
According to Thomas, if Indonesian government bans the import of food including fruits and vegetables from Europe, it is concerned that it would be detrimental to Indonesia itself. This is because so far E. Coli bacteria have not yet found. “Being cautious is OK, but don’t issue banning provision hurriedly,” he said.
The reason is, he added, if the government issues an import ban yet it is not proven that the import products are infected with E. Coli bacteria, this will hamper food business of Indonesia in the future. “Normally, once a provision is issued, it is difficult to revoke,” he said.
Moreover, according to Thomas, so far food in Indonesia is still safe from E. Coli bacteria because food imported from Europe comprises processed fruits and vegetables. “What we import is more of processed food such as sweets and raisins,” he said.
He further acknowledged that despite we import fresh fruit products from France, the amount is little. “We only import apples, and they are safe,” said Thomas.
In addition, said Thomas, other fruit and vegetable products are imported from Asia-Pacific region, such as Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan and China. “So our food products are still safe from E. Coli bacteria,” he said.
Translated by Indah Lestari
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