Food bill targets firms neglecting safety rules
Food bill targets firms neglecting safety rules
JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday submitted to the House
of Representatives a food bill which includes the imposition of
penalties of up to Rp 500 million (US$217,391) against companies
neglecting food-safety regulations.
State Minister of Food Ibrahim Hasan said in a plenary session
of the House of Representatives here that the bill will also
regulate food labeling and advertising, both of which are
considered important aspects of the food trade.
The bill will be debated by the House before it is passed into
law.
Ibrahim said labeling and advertising must be clear, easy to
read and understand, and should not contain misleading
information.
"Food labels must also contain specific information if
targeted at a specific market," he said.
Ibrahim added that foodstuff containing pork, either imported
or locally-produced, must be specially labeled, while packages
containing other types of meat must have the halal label, which
indicates that they can be consumed by Moslems.
"These labels are important not only because they give Moslems
a sense of security but also because they are needed to penetrate
the growing markets in Moslem countries," he said.
Ibrahim acknowledged that food regulations, prepared in line
with the principles of the World Trade Organization, are
necessary to boost the competitiveness of Indonesia's products on
the world market.
He said that most countries, including neighboring states in
Southeast Asia, already have such regulations.
"Indonesia is the only country without a food law in the
region," he said.
Ibrahim said that without a regulation controlling food
hygiene and sanitation, food labeling, the application of food
additives and the tolerable amount of pesticide residue,
Indonesia's food exports will not have a good image on the
international market.
Foodstuffs from Indonesia, he said, will continue to be
rejected in certain countries that apply strict regulations, such
as the United States, the European Union and Japan.
"1994 figures show that the United States alone has rejected
around US$100 million worth of foodstuffs imported from
Indonesia," Ibrahim said.
Inspection
He explained that the proposed food bill will also regulate
food safety and food inspection, to cope with afflictions caused
by contaminated foodstuffs.
Indonesia currently has very loose regulations which often
enable ill-disciplined food producers and distributors to cover
up expiry dates or list inaccurate ingredients.
As a result, many cases of food poisoning have been reported
over the last few years.
Ibrahim said the proposed bill would impose penalties of up to
Rp 500 million on food processing companies that are found guilty
of neglecting such food safety regulations.
The Ministry of Health recorded 321 cases of food poisoning in
1986, and 12 deaths. In 1987, 433 were reported ill and in 1988,
the figure increased to 1,439. The following year, 2,477 people
were reported ill. (pwn)
JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday submitted to the House
of Representatives a food bill which includes the imposition of
penalties of up to Rp 500 million (US$217,391) against companies
neglecting food-safety regulations.
State Minister of Food Ibrahim Hasan said in a plenary session
of the House of Representatives here that the bill will also
regulate food labeling and advertising, both of which are
considered important aspects of the food trade.
The bill will be debated by the House before it is passed into
law.
Ibrahim said labeling and advertising must be clear, easy to
read and understand, and should not contain misleading
information.
"Food labels must also contain specific information if
targeted at a specific market," he said.
Ibrahim added that foodstuff containing pork, either imported
or locally-produced, must be specially labeled, while packages
containing other types of meat must have the halal label, which
indicates that they can be consumed by Moslems.
"These labels are important not only because they give Moslems
a sense of security but also because they are needed to penetrate
the growing markets in Moslem countries," he said.
Ibrahim acknowledged that food regulations, prepared in line
with the principles of the World Trade Organization, are
necessary to boost the competitiveness of Indonesia's products on
the world market.
He said that most countries, including neighboring states in
Southeast Asia, already have such regulations.
"Indonesia is the only country without a food law in the
region," he said.
Ibrahim said that without a regulation controlling food
hygiene and sanitation, food labeling, the application of food
additives and the tolerable amount of pesticide residue,
Indonesia's food exports will not have a good image on the
international market.
Foodstuffs from Indonesia, he said, will continue to be
rejected in certain countries that apply strict regulations, such
as the United States, the European Union and Japan.
"1994 figures show that the United States alone has rejected
around US$100 million worth of foodstuffs imported from
Indonesia," Ibrahim said.
Inspection
He explained that the proposed food bill will also regulate
food safety and food inspection, to cope with afflictions caused
by contaminated foodstuffs.
Indonesia currently has very loose regulations which often
enable ill-disciplined food producers and distributors to cover
up expiry dates or list inaccurate ingredients.
As a result, many cases of food poisoning have been reported
over the last few years.
Ibrahim said the proposed bill would impose penalties of up to
Rp 500 million on food processing companies that are found guilty
of neglecting such food safety regulations.
The Ministry of Health recorded 321 cases of food poisoning in
1986, and 12 deaths. In 1987, 433 were reported ill and in 1988,
the figure increased to 1,439. The following year, 2,477 people
were reported ill. (pwn)