Barantin suspends 19 swiftlet nest companies for export violations

The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) has revealed that 19 swiftlet nest companies have been subjected to suspension sanctions for failing to meet the quality standards set in the export process of the tropical commodity to China.

Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, Abdul Kadir Karding, said in Tangerang on Friday that the dozen or so suspended swiftlet nest export companies were identified from a total of 57 registered companies.

“Those that are indeed naughty, we are forced to suspend them. We suspend them from Indonesia first, so they don’t get suspended by China, those that are indeed naughty,” he said.

He stressed that the suspension of swiftlet nest exports to China is not a form of total halt, but rather an enforcement measure against companies that violate provisions before the Chinese quarantine authority, the General Administration of Customs China (GACC), imposes sanctions that could have a broader impact.

He also added that these sanctions were imposed on companies that remained stubborn, despite having been repeatedly warned to make improvements.

According to him, based on findings in the field, the main violation committed by these companies relates to the use of additional chemical substances to alter the physical appearance of the product.

“International standards stipulate that the aluminium content in swiftlet nest products must not exceed the threshold of 200 PPM,” he explained.

“Some have aluminium content of 1000. That is not allowed, it means they are using certain substances for whitening,” he elaborated.

On the other hand, Barantin remains open to opportunities for new companies or exporters committed to complying with the strict standards of China’s GACC so that the economy and exports of this leading commodity can continue to operate safely and sustainably.

“We will continue to ensure that the economy and exports of this leading commodity can continue to operate safely and sustainably,” he said.