Police Food Task Force processes 25 fortified rice brands to protect consumers

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Police’s Food Task Force is processing suspected violations involving 25 fortified rice brands whose contents do not match their labels, in order to protect consumers from economic losses.

“In principle, we continue to carry out effective coordination, certainly involving competent experts. This involves scientific testing through laboratory examinations. So we will carry out scientific proof,” said the head of the Food Task Force, Brigadier General Ade Safri Simanjuntak, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The statement was made following the presentation of examination results and findings on fortified rice by Agriculture Minister and head of the National Food Agency, Andi Amran Sulaiman, at the Agriculture Ministry’s central office in Jakarta.

The event was also attended by the head of the Government Communication Agency, Muhammad Qodari, other law enforcement officials, and relevant stakeholders in Jakarta to discuss the suspected fortified rice violations.

Ade stated that crimes in the food sector have serious consequences because they concern the livelihoods of many people, making their handling a top priority for the Food Task Force.

The statement came after the government discovered 25 fortified rice brands suspected of not matching either their contents or the information stated on their packaging labels.

Ade assured that the Food Task Force would conduct its investigation professionally, prioritising scientific evidence. The process will involve competent experts and laboratory testing to determine whether criminal elements exist.

Ade emphasised that any proven criminal offence in the fortified rice case will be processed according to the law through professional, transparent, and accountable investigations to provide legal certainty.

One suspected violation currently being investigated is the mismatch between product contents and the claims stated on packaging labels.

Ade gave the example of a product claiming to contain vitamin A, whereas laboratory tests found no such vitamin content.

“Or it contains vitamin A, but in terms of ingredients, the composition of its contents, the percentages do not match what is promised on the packaging label,” he explained.

Beyond the content issue, the Food Task Force also found suspected problems with the Fresh Food of Plant Origin (PSAT) distribution permits listed on the packaging.

These findings, he continued, were obtained after checks through an application accessed jointly with the relevant ministries and agencies.

Ade said the suspected violations relate, among other things, to the Consumer Protection Law, particularly when information promised to consumers through labels does not match the product’s contents.

However, the Food Task Force is still investigating to establish the legal construction of the case, the evidence, and the appropriate criminal provisions to apply.

“Following the findings reported to the National Police’s Food Task Force, Bapanas will next file a police report, which we will follow up with further inquiry and investigation efforts,” he said.

He further stated that the Food Task Force had previously conducted an assessment of several rice brands submitted by the National Food Agency (Bapanas). From that process, findings on the 25 brands are still being investigated.

He assured that coordination with Bapanas and relevant ministries and agencies will continue so that the law enforcement process rests on a solid evidentiary basis.

The 25 fortified rice brands are suspected of failing to meet the content and quality requirements of SNI 9314:2024 for fortified rice kernels and SNI 9372:2025 for fortified rice.

The 25 brands are: WFO, TKS, IMF, NUR, TKL, HOK, BRV, IMR, IHJ, IAK, PBK, GNB, DTR, TKR, WJK, PLK, MKY, IMC, PTK, ARP, ARN, SKM, GNM, TAR, and CMS.

Previously, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, who also heads the National Food Agency, revealed the findings on the 25 brands.

The government has taken steps by ordering the products’ withdrawal from circulation, revocation of permits, and the processing of the parties allegedly involved in accordance with legal provisions.

“After we checked in the laboratory, it turned out they did not match their labels. This is what we are acting on,” said Minister Amran.

Beyond the content mismatches, the government also found extremely high price disparities. Products that should be priced at around Rp13,000-Rp13,500 per kilogram were found selling for up to Rp57,000 per kilogram.

The government estimates potential consumer losses from the suspected practices at around Rp89 trillion. That figure remains an estimate and forms part of the ongoing investigation with law enforcement officials.