YLKI backs government crackdown on fortified rice violations

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) has backed the government, through the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and the Ministry of Agriculture together with the Food Taskforce, in uncovering alleged fortified rice violations to protect consumers’ interests.

“We support the steps taken by the Minister, the Food Taskforce and their teams to take firm action against businesses that may have had bad intentions from the start, with mens rea to harm consumers,” said YLKI’s Head of Daily Management, Niti Emiliana, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Niti made the remarks during the presentation of the results of the examination and findings on fortified rice by Agriculture Minister and head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Andi Amran Sulaiman, together with the Head of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom), Muhammad Qodari, the National Police Food Taskforce, other law enforcement officials and other stakeholders at the Ministry of Agriculture’s central office in Jakarta.

She said the alleged mismatch between the content of fortified rice and the information on the label warrants collective attention. Discrepancies between product content and label descriptions potentially violate consumers’ right to correct information.

She explained that consumers are entitled to receive products in line with the promises made by businesses through labels, tags and information about benefits on packaging.

In Niti’s assessment, if the products being sold do not match the information listed, the situation can be categorised as a violation of consumer protection.

She noted that criminal penalties await if the rice produced does not meet standards.

This is based on Article 8 of Law Number 8 of 1999 on Consumer Protection, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a Rp2 billion fine.

“Consumers need to obtain their right to correct, clear and honest information, and to receive products matching what was promised. Referring to the Consumer Protection Law, this certainly falls under Article 8 as a prohibited act,” she said.

According to her, the alleged violations need to be followed up through an investigative process so that the facts about the product can be clearly established in accordance with prevailing regulations.

She stressed that the public, as consumers, has the right to information about products alleged to be non-compliant so they can understand the actual situation.

Niti said the government needs to be transparent about developments in the examination, given that the impact of the alleged violations is directly felt by the public.

She hopes that businesses proven to have intended to harm consumers will face firm action in accordance with the rules, to create a deterrent effect.

Niti added that oversight of food products needs to be continuously strengthened so that the public receives rice that meets standards, label information and promised benefits.

Meanwhile, Amran Sulaiman revealed that 25 brands of fortified rice were found to allegedly not meet the standards and content listed on their labels, causing losses to consumers of up to Rp89 trillion.

“First, we have ordered a product recall; second, revocation of their licences; third, legal processing. The total alleged losses amount to Rp89 trillion,” said Amran.

He stated that 25 fortified rice brands failed to meet the content and quality requirements set by SNI 9314:2024 for fortified rice kernels and SNI 9372:2025 for fortified rice.

The rice brands allegedly in violation 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.

In response to these findings, the government has taken firm action by ordering the withdrawal of the products from circulation, revoking licences, and processing those allegedly involved in accordance with prevailing laws.