House passes food bill into law<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives approved a
\ngovernment-sponsored food bill yesterday which will guarantee
\nfood safety, create a climate of fair and responsible trade of
\nfoodstuffs and help small-scale food industries to thrive.<\/p>\n
The bill was passed into law yesterday by all four factions of
\nthe House -- the Armed Forces, Golkar, Indonesian Democratic
\nParty and United Development Party -- after almost four months of
\ndeliberations.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Food Ibrahim Hasan said in a plenary meeting
\nof the House yesterday the food law is aimed at regulating
\nfoodstuffs to be distributed and sold, but is not applicable for
\nfood produced and consumed by private households.<\/p>\n
\"The goal of regulating, supervising and controlling
\nfoodstuffs is to obtain food which meets safety, quality and
\nnutrition requirements... and to create a climate of fair and
\nresponsible food trade,\" Ibrahim said.<\/p>\n
He said the regulation is also expected to create a sound
\nlevel of national food security, where prices are reasonable and
\naffordable to the public.<\/p>\n
The food law, when enacted after being signed by President
\nSoeharto, will help Indonesia face challenges that may arise with
\nthe implementation of the World Trade Organization rules in the
\nnext century, he said.<\/p>\n
\"A set of regulations can help Indonesia increase and maintain
\nits role in the world food market, while at the same time
\nprotecting its domestic consumers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said if food producers meet the requirements stipulated by
\nthe food law, they will be able to compete on both the domestic
\nand world markets.<\/p>\n
\"All the conditions and penalties stated in this law are aimed
\nat protecting public health and safety,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Requirements<\/p>\n
Commenting on food safety, Ibrahim said the regulation
\ncontains requirements on sanitation, food additives, genetic
\nengineering, food irradiation, food packaging, quality control,
\nlaboratory food and quality testing, and food labeling and
\nadvertising.<\/p>\n
\"These requirements will apply to both domestic and foreign
\nproducts,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ibrahim said, however, that in cases of emergency -- when the
\nissue of food security becomes an urgent one -- the government
\nmay temporarily disregard the rulings on food security, labeling,
\nquality and nutrition requirements.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, House members urged the government to introduce
\nadditional rulings for the implementation of the law as soon as
\npossible.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Armed Forces faction, M. Situmorang,
\nsaid once the law is backed up by such rulings, it can be
\ndisseminated to the public and enforced by related government
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for the United Development Party's faction, Masrur
\nJavas, said labeling for food packages, including those
\nindicating that the food is halal -- or acceptable by Islamic
\nstandards -- should not increase food prices.<\/p>\n
\"By applying the halal labeling, consumers will have a greater
\nfeeling of security,\" Masrur said. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-passes-food-bill-into-law-1447893297",
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