Supermarkets must withdraw illegally imported food<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Supermarkets and stores on Wednesday were
\ninstructed to halt the sale of 356 kinds of imported food
\nproducts from 25 different countries which had been sold without
\nclearance from the Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM).<\/p>\n
The head of the Agency, Sampurno, said the 356 products had
\nnot received certification from the agency as required by Law No.
\n23\/1992.<\/p>\n
The law clearly stipulates that imported drug, food and drink
\nproducts must pass examination or receive a license from the
\nagency before they are distributed to the public.<\/p>\n
\"The 356 food products were imported illegally. We are
\nconcerned consumers will not be protected in case the products
\ncause health problems,\" Sampurno told The Jakarta Post on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
The imported food products include instant noodles, chocolate,
\nsyrup, juices, canned mushrooms, soft drinks, corned beef,
\nbiscuits, cooking oil, candy, jelly, sauces and wafers.<\/p>\n
The restrictions are not targeted toward certain brands, as
\nproducts of the same brand could be imported from different
\ncountries or may have also been produced here.<\/p>\n
It may be the case that a particular product imported from a
\none country is banned, but the same product imported from another
\ncountry which has received certification is allowed to be sold.<\/p>\n
Among those in the list of 356 products are Tiger Beer,
\nPringles (Cheese, Original, Pizza Potato, Potato 150g and 198g)
\nCafe Noir Biscuits imported from Malaysia, Elle & Vire Extra
\nLight from Belgium, Schweppes (Dry Ginger, Bitter Lemon, Tonic
\nWater, Ginger Beer) and Quaker Instant imported from Australia.<\/p>\n
Others included SW Seedless Grape Fruit, Betty Cracker,
\nContinental (Peanut Curry, Noodle Sauce, Black Curry), French's
\nAmerican Mustard from the United States; Instant Natural Jelly
\n(white, red, yellow), Yolk (Nutrions, Coconut Milk) from China.<\/p>\n
Sampurno however admitted that the agency had not received any
\ncomplaints from consumers concerning possible negative effects of
\nthe illegally imported food.<\/p>\n
\"But we fear effects may occur several years later, for
\nexample in such things as kidney problems,\" Sampurno added.<\/p>\n
The public can examine whether a product has received
\ncertification by inspecting its registration number which is
\nusually preceded by the codes MD or ML<\/p>\n
According to Sampurno, consumers should also check the expiry
\ndate of imported goods which is sometimes removed to hide the
\nfact that the goods are due to expire within the year.<\/p>\n
Sampurno warned that stores have two weeks to ensure that the
\nunregistered goods are no longer sold.<\/p>\n
\"If the supermarkets do not completely withdraw the products
\nfrom their shelves within two weeks, we will forcibly remove them
\nand report the supermarkets' management (to police) for
\nnegligence,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added that in the meantime, the agency would continue
\ncollecting data from the supermarkets to trace the suppliers of
\nthe illegal products.<\/p>\n
Those found violating health laws face a maximum punishment of
\nthree-years imprisonment or a Rp 360 million fine.<\/p>\n
Offenders can also be punished under Law No. 8\/1999 for
\nfailing to protect consumers which carries a maximum penalty of
\nfive years and a fine of Rp 2 billion. (emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/supermarkets-must-withdraw-illegally-imported-food-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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