Amran Orders Revocation of Problematic Fortified Rice Distribution Permits

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman, has ordered the revocation of distribution permits for several brands of fortified rice and rice with nutritional claims, after they were proven not to meet requirements based on laboratory test results. The order was issued after Bapanas found that the majority of fortified rice and rice with nutritional claim samples, monitored in April 2026 in the Jakarta area, did not comply with applicable regulations. “I, as Head of Bapanas, to the Secretary and Deputies, revoke the permits. Order your subordinates. This is my authority. Revoke the permits and they are not allowed to distribute, because these are laboratory results,” Amran stressed in his statement, quoted on Thursday (30/7/2026). Not only revoking distribution permits, Amran also requested that the alleged violations be processed legally through the Food Task Force. “Then for the criminal aspect, send it to the Food Task Force. Today the Secretary will immediately write to the Food Task Force. Subsequently, I will write directly to the National Police Chief. This is a long process. I will pursue it. I am ready to stake everything for the farmers, for the Indonesian people,” he said. Based on the monitoring results of 15 samples, consisting of three fortified rice samples and 12 rice with nutritional claim samples, laboratory results showed that only three of the 12 rice with nutritional claim samples met the requirements. Meanwhile, nine other samples did not meet the provisions. In addition, there were three samples that did not include nutritional value information in the form of the Nutritional Adequacy Rate (AKG) percentage on the packaging. On the occasion, Amran also highlighted the high price of fortified rice, which he deemed not commensurate with the product quality sold. According to him, some products were marketed far above the Highest Retail Price (HET) for premium rice, but their nutritional content did not match the laboratory test results. “Now, those that do not match the lab results, imagine, even crazier, this averages Rp22,000 per kg, but there are those selling up to Rp42,000 per kg. Does that make sense? This is just our sample, the assumed consumer loss could reach Rp71 trillion,” he said. From the monitoring results, one sample was found to be sold at Rp42,500 per kg. However, laboratory test results showed that one of its nutritional parameters did not match the AKG percentage stated on the packaging. Amran assessed that this finding marks a new chapter in the quality control of fortified rice. He said the inspection was carried out following reports and public complaints. “This is new. There is a new chapter. There is an SNI for fortified rice. These are the requirements. So this is the second emergency. But this is still temporary. We will recheck. They really do not repent, so we checked directly. This also came from public reports and complaints,” Amran explained. He also urged law enforcement to take action against producers who do not comply with regulations so that the issue of rice prices does not continue to burden the public. “They say rice prices are high, go after them (the non-compliant producers). Instead, the government is being pursued. Some ask, where is the proof of self-sufficiency? The proof is that the criminals are there. That is it,” he asserted. As a follow-up, Bapanas will expand its monitoring of fortified rice and rice with nutritional claims. The next monitoring is targeted to cover 40 trademarks in 11 provinces with at least 200 samples to be tested through accredited laboratories. For information, producers of fortified rice are required to have a distribution permit for Fresh Food of Plant Origin (PSAT) issued by Bapanas together with the Regional Food Safety Competent Authority (OKKPD). Fortified rice must also comply with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 9372:2025, which regulates the content of vitamin B1, folic acid, vitamin B12, iron, and zinc in every 100 grams of product.