Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI)\nmaintains that fortified rice with contents that do not match its label\nviolates consumer rights and could potentially be processed through\ncriminal law if violations of applicable regulations are proven.<\/p>\n
\u201cReferring to the principles of consumer protection, this is\ncertainly a violation of consumer rights by business actors,\u201d said YLKI\nChairperson Niti Emiliana when confirmed in Jakarta on Saturday.<\/p>\n
She made this statement in response to findings by the National Food\nAgency (Bapanas), together with the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan)\nand the Food Task Force, regarding 25 brands of fortified rice suspected\nof not meeting the standards and contents listed on their labels,\npotentially causing losses to consumers worth approximately Rp89\ntrillion.<\/p>\n
In response, YLKI is urging the government to conduct further\ninvestigations and release information to the public to ensure that\ncitizens receive products as promised.<\/p>\n
She stated that consumers have the right to receive true, clear, and\nhonest information regarding the products they purchase. Therefore, if\nthe rice content does not match the fortification claims on the label,\nbusiness actors can be considered in violation of consumer protection\nregulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsumers need to receive the right to true, clear, and honest\ninformation, and also to receive products as promised,\u201d said Niti.<\/p>\n
She highlighted the findings of suspected fortified rice that, after\nlaboratory testing, did not possess the contents specified on the\nlabel.<\/p>\n
According to her, this issue cannot be viewed merely as an\nadministrative discrepancy, as the information on the packaging serves\nas the basis for consumers when making purchasing decisions.<\/p>\n
She noted that such provisions are specifically regulated under\nArticle 8 of the Consumer Protection Law, which governs prohibited acts\nfor business actors.<\/p>\n
She explained that referring to Article 8 of the Consumer Protection\nLaw, business actors are prohibited from producing or trading products\nthat do not comply with the etiquette, labels, or benefits promised to\nconsumers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusiness actors are prohibited from producing or trading products\nthat do not match what is promised based on the etiquette, label, and\nthe benefits that serve as a guarantee for consumers,\u201d she\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Niti emphasised that the suspected discrepancy in fortified rice\ncontent could enter the criminal realm if investigations prove elements\nof intent and violations of applicable laws and regulations.<\/p>\n
YLKI supports the steps taken by the National Police Food Task Force,\nalongside the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant ministries and\nagencies, to investigate the alleged violations and ensure proof through\nthe legal process.<\/p>\n
According to Niti, government oversight is crucial because the public\nlacks the ability to prove the nutritional content of fortified rice\nwithout adequate laboratory testing.<\/p>\n
She explained that oversight both before and after products enter\ncirculation needs to be strengthened so that the limitations of\nconsumers in verifying food content can be balanced by effective and\nsustainable government supervision.<\/p>\n
This situation has resulted in consumer complaints being largely\nrelated to higher rice prices and discrepancies in fortification\ninformation printed on packaging.<\/p>\n
According to Niti, consumers lack the ability to ensure the promised\nnutritional content, leading to confusion when encountering differences\nin price and information across various brands of fortified rice.<\/p>\n
She assessed that consumers are willing to pay higher prices because\nthey trust the information on the packaging; therefore, discrepancies in\ncontent have the potential to cause economic loss while eliminating the\npromised benefits.<\/p>\n
Niti emphasised that the losses resulting from the alleged violations\ncould affect all consumers regardless of region or economic status, as\nconsumer protection rights apply to everyone.<\/p>\n
YLKI is urging the government to take firm action against business\nactors proven to be in violation to prevent consumer loss, and is\ncalling for strengthened food supervision to ensure products meet\nstandards and packaging information is accurate.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ylki-asserts-fortified-rice-mislabeling-violates-consumer-rights-1789826504", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }