Amran to Implement Moratorium on Substandard Fortified Rice, Ready to Revoke Permits

The government is intensifying the regulation of fortified rice products found to be inconsistent with quality standards and the nutritional content stated on their labels. The Minister of Agriculture, who also serves as the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Amran Sulrand Sulaiman, stated that the government is preparing three specific measures against these problematic rice products.

These three steps include the revocation of permits, a moratorium or temporary halt to production, and legal proceedings against perpetrators proven to have committed violations.

Amran stated that the crackdown on fortified rice is part of the government’s efforts to improve rice market conditions. He also linked the issue to the disappearance of several fortified rice products from circulation.

“Because (the rice mafia) for fortification is no longer playing? Are they still daring to play? The fortified rice (in retail) has disappeared, hasn’t it?” Amran told reporters in Jakarta on Monday (21/09/2026).

Previously, the government, through Bapanas, discovered 25 brands of fortified rice suspected of not meeting the quality standards and nutritional content specified on the product labels. From these findings, 11 business owners of the 25 brands have received warning letters from the Regional Competent Food Safety Authority (OKKPD) in coordination with Bapanas.

As of the first week of September 2026, all problematic brands are reported to have ceased production. Some product stocks have also been withdrawn from circulation.

Amidst this crackdown, the government has not yet prioritised the establishment of a maximum retail price (HET) for fortified rice. When asked about the possibility of setting a maximum retail price, Amran said the government has chosen to first halt the circulation of problematic products.

“It is being placed under moratorium. The permits will be revoked first,” he said.

Amran further explained that the government is preparing three stages to handle fortified rice products that violate regulations.

“Then the permits are revoked, how about that? There are three processes there. Revoking permits, moratorium, and legal processing. Okay?” Amran asserted.

With these measures, the government aims not only to temporarily halt the circulation of problematic products but also to open the possibility of revoking permits and bringing violations to legal proceedings. This crackdown follows the government’s discovery of fortified rice products that do not match the claims on their labels. The government previously emphasised that products proven to violate regulations may be subject to sanctions in accordance with applicable laws.