BPOM Seizes Illegal "Laughing Gas" Baby Whips in Online Marketplaces

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), accompanied by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police, conducted an enforcement operation at a residential house in the Cengkareng area, West Jakarta. The residential house is suspected of being used as a means of distribution and storage for illegal medical gas pharmaceutical preparations of the type Dinitrogen Monoxide (N2O).

Joint officers confiscated hundreds of canisters containing laughing gas in various packaging sizes, as well as secondary packaging equipment. In addition to the physical evidence, there was also evidence that the product components were imported from abroad and packaged illegally.

The head of the Agency, Taruna Ikrar, affirmed that the circulation without expertise violates the Health Law with a threat of 12 years in prison. This illegal practice is considered very dangerous because it distributes pharmaceutical preparations that do not meet safety and quality standards.

"The misuse of N2O can cause nerve disorders, hypoxia or a condition of oxygen deficiency at the tissue level, and even death," Taruna conveyed at a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday, April 8, 2026.

BPOM has also issued Circular Letter Number 2 of 2026 in response to tighten regulations on the production and circulation of N2O gas. This step is taken to ensure that the use of the gas is only intended for legitimate medical and food sectors.

"Let's work together to educate the public to become smart consumers who understand how to choose safe and quality products," he said.