SKM misdirected

The skewed question of sweetened condensed milk (SKM) is again hotly debated in recent days. Especially after the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) issued a circular reinforcing the rules on labels and advertising on its dairy products and the like on May 22, 2018.

In a letter to producers , importers and distributors of products, the ban on advertising on sweetened condensed dairy products featuring children under five. Another ban is the use of visualization that equates SKM with dairy products.

Yes, there are many people who do not know the actual content of SKM. Apparently, the use of the word "milk" from the abbreviation SKM makes people become a bad perception. As was the case in southeastern Sulawesi some time ago, there are two toddlers who must be hospitalized because their mothers often give them SKM.

In addition, almost all SKM producers also create dishonest advertisements to the public. In a promotional print of a SKM product, for example, the relevant SKM producers "sell" their products with fantastic words such as: SKM & # 39; X & # 39; contains 9 vitamins and 5 minerals that help the family's nutrition. Indeed, based on the description of BPOM, SKM can not be used to supplement nutrition because of low milk content. Conversely, the sugar levels on SKM are very high as they are intended for sweeteners as well as for the preservation of milk. That is why, SKM is not suitable consumed by children under five years old. The BPOM stage deserves to be appreciated because it aims to protect consumers. SKM producers must be honest with consumers about the content of the products they sell. However, thanks to ads that use sweet words and the most affordable banderolan price, it's no surprise that SKM is becoming an option for families with a minimal budget by providing milk for their children.

This question became viral because many people were wondering why only this circular letter had been issued by BPOM. Where have you been for BPOM? BPOM also seems to have to clean up. Although SKM is not a dangerous product, BPOM should not ignore the misperception that circulates in the community. I also hope that in the future, BPOM will stop only until SKM

Barratut Taqiyyah Rafie