Task Force Issues Warnings and Enforces Regulations Ahead of National Religious Holidays
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Task Force for Food Price, Safety, and Quality Control (Satgas Saber Pangan) has issued warning letters and taken enforcement actions during monitoring activities in preparation for upcoming national religious holidays, including Imlek, Ramadan, Nyepi, and Eid al-Fitr.
“The Satgas Saber Pangan continues to conduct monitoring in various regions to ensure that distribution is running smoothly, prices remain under control, and products circulating are safe for public consumption,” said the Head of the Task Force and Chief of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim), Commissioner General Pol. Syahardiantono, in Jakarta on Thursday.
Syahar explained that the monitoring period spans three weeks, from February 5 to February 25, 2026, throughout Indonesia.
From a total of 28,270 monitoring activities, the task force identified several violations, which were then addressed through various measures. A total of 350 warning letters were issued to business actors who violated price or food distribution regulations.
In addition, officers also collected 35 samples for laboratory testing to ensure the safety and quality of food products circulating in the community.
The task force also recommended the revocation of business licenses in one case and the revocation of distribution permits in three cases as part of efforts to enforce regulations in the food sector.
Furthermore, Syahar revealed that authorities are also handling four criminal cases in the food sector, namely:
- Illegal food smuggling in Kepri
The Riau Islands (Kepri) Police are handling a case of illegal food smuggling and violations of animal, plant, and fish quarantine regulations. There are a total of two suspects, namely LM (the owner of the goods) and H (the captain of the ship).
The evidence seized includes two motorboats, 5,037 boxes containing beef, chicken, and pork with a total weight of 77 tons, and hundreds of sacks of used toys.
- Repackaging of SPHP rice in NTB
The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Police uncovered a fraudulent practice of repackaging Bulog’s SPHP (Subsidized Rice for the People) rice. One suspect, identified as NS, altered the packaging of the 5-kilogram subsidized rice into plain 1-kilogram packages to be sold at a higher price.
The evidence seized includes 140 white sacks weighing 49.8 kilograms, 1,400 used plastic packages for 1-kilogram SPHP rice, one sewing machine, 98 plain sacks containing 50 kilograms of rice, and 1,650 packages of 5-kilogram SPHP rice.
- Trade of expired food in Sumedang, West Java
The West Java Police uncovered the trade of expired food in the Sumedang area and designated one suspect, identified as JSP.
The evidence secured includes 12 cartons of sterilized milk, 105 sacks of biscuits, 25 cartons of seasoning, and several other food products.
- Production of noodles containing formalin and borax in Garut
One suspect, identified as WK, produced wet noodles containing formalin and borax in Garut, West Java.
The evidence seized includes six sacks of ready-to-sell wet noodle products, one mixing machine, one drum of borax and formalin seasoning liquid, and one vehicle used to transport the noodle products to the market.
He said that the suspects are being charged with articles under the Food Law, the Consumer Protection Law, the Trade Law, the Quarantine Law, and Article 504 of the Criminal Code (Law No. 1 of 2023). The maximum penalty is up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 5 billion.