Bulog Surakarta Orders Producer to Replace Diesel-Scented Minyakita in Sragen
The head of Bulog Surakarta, Nanang Harianto, has moved swiftly to respond to resident complaints regarding the ‘Minyakita’ brand cooking oil food aid, which was found to smell of diesel in Gading Village, Tanon District, Sragen Regency. Bulog has requested that the producers immediately replace all problematic products.
Nanang explained that in addition to replacing the goods, the Minyakita producers have reported that they are conducting an internal investigation to uncover the cause of the diesel aroma in the cooking oil.
“Regarding the causes, we certainly do not know and leave it entirely to the producers who are conducting the investigation. Bulog’s task is to ensure that complaints are followed up with replacements. Hopefully, this will not happen again elsewhere,” Nanang stated on Monday (29/6).
Furthermore, Nanang emphasised that the distribution of Minyakita food aid this June marks Bulog’s final assignment of this type. “This is the last one; in the future, there will be no more,” he added.
The case emerged after several residents in the Tanon District area, specifically in Dukuh Karang, Gading Village, lodged protests. The complaints gained significant traction on social media after residents discovered that the cooking oil received from the government assistance programme was unfit for consumption.
One resident, 38-year-old Miyatun, revealed that besides the diesel smell, the oil had a negative impact when used for cooking. Fried foods became stale-smelling and caused mild health issues for those who consumed them.
“When fried tempeh is eaten, it makes the throat itchy and causes coughing,” said Miyatun while showing the Minyakita packaging she received on Sunday (28/6).
To date, the replacement process is still being monitored to ensure that residents receive their food aid entitlements with quality that meets food safety standards.
PERUM Bulog is withdrawing all Minyakita products produced by PT Kusuma Mukti Remaja (PT KMR) that have been distributed to the public after indications of a diesel-like smell were found in several products.