Bulog to Use Old Packaging for Rice Distribution, Asks Public Not to Misunderstand, Why?
Karawang, CNBC Indonesia - Perum Bulog will utilise old, unused packaging for the distribution of rice under food aid and the Stabilisation of Food Supply and Price (SPHP) programme. This step is taken to ensure that distribution is not hindered, while also optimising the available stock of packaging, amid soaring prices of plastic pellets.
Bulog Procurement Director Prihasto Setyanto stated that the use of old packaging has received approval from the National Food Agency (Bapanas).
“In accordance with instructions from the National Food Agency, we are allowed to use the leftover old packaging,” Prihasto said when met in Karawang, West Java, on Thursday (23/4/2026).
He explained that the old packaging remains in large quantities and is ready to be used to accelerate distribution.
“The leftover old packaging is still plentiful, the leftover old packaging. The old leftover packaging just needs to be labelled. The important thing is to use it immediately for distribution to the public, to stimulate the economy below. Distribute it immediately,” he said.
Because the distribution will temporarily use the leftover old packaging, Prihasto reminded that the expiry date label on the packaging does not reflect the contents of the rice. This is in line with the fact that old packaging generally includes old dates, as it was produced in 2023-2024.
“But sometimes the old packaging, don’t misunderstand, the old packaging sometimes… it’s old packaging, packaging from 2023, 2024, it’s old packaging, so the expired date is written as 2024. So it’s not the rice that’s expired, it’s just the packaging that’s old,” he emphasised.
He assured that the distributed rice is still new, while the use of old packaging serves as a temporary solution amid packaging shortages.
“The rice is new rice. But because we’re short on packaging, we’re using old packaging. That’s why it’s recommended to still use stickers,” he continued.
Bulog also emphasised that distribution must not be hindered merely due to packaging issues, especially since stocks of old packaging are still available in large quantities.
“The old leftovers are still quite plentiful. Still a lot. There are still millions of sheets,” Prihasto revealed.
“The main thing now is not to let it be hindered by packaging availability. So, use whatever packaging is available,” he added.
This policy will be implemented for the distribution of food aid rice as well as SPHP rice, with the emphasis that the rice quality remains maintained despite using old packaging.