JAKARTA - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has imposed a moratorium on the distribution permit for fortified rice to prevent the circulation of problematic products that have the potential to harm consumers. This policy also aims to protect people's purchasing power and create a fairer food trade.
Head of Bapanas who is also Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said the moratorium was a step to prevent the recurrence of practices that harmed the community.
"For fortified rice, we have taken a moratorium. This should not happen again. This is just deceiving our consumers," said Amran when confirmed in Jakarta, Wednesday.
According to Amran, the government together with law enforcement officers (APH) continues to follow up on alleged violations by manufacturers of fortified rice based on the results of laboratory supervision and inspection.
Previously, Bapanas had reported the findings of the alleged violations to the National Police to be processed in accordance with applicable laws.
Amran emphasized that efforts to eradicate food practices that harm the community are part of the government's commitment to protect consumers, farmers, and business actors who comply with the provisions.
In addition to legal action, the government is also trying to improve food governance so that the products circulating meet quality standards, safety, and product information provisions.
He assessed that supervision needed to be strengthened through collaboration between the government, law enforcement agencies, and related institutions. Thus, potential violations can be detected and prevented from the production stage.
"We have reported to the National Police Chief and this is President Prabowo's order. (Food mafia) must disappear in the Indonesian Earth. We want jihad for the Republic of Indonesia," said Amran.
He added that the policy was a form of government responsibility to ensure that the public obtained quality food while providing business certainty for producers who followed the rules.
"Why are we actively down? For the sake of small farmers, for the sake of the people of Indonesia. There is no other interest. We just serve," he said.
Potential Consumer Losses of IDR 89 Trillion
Previously, Bapanas revealed the potential losses of consumers due to the alleged practice of problematic fortified rice which is estimated to reach IDR 89 trillion. In the supervision of the national market, the institution found 25 brands that were suspected of violating administrative provisions, nutritional content, and product quality.
The findings came from Bapanas' supervision from July to August 2026. The inspection was carried out on 190 samples of fortified rice in 11 provinces which included 27 trade names.
Bapanas also found samples of fortified rice that did not have a Fresh Plant Food (PSAT) distribution permit, as well as discrepancies in nutritional and quality claims based on laboratory test results from four reference testing institutions.
The results of the examination showed that the alleged violations included administrative aspects, nutritional content, and rice quality. One of the findings related to the claim of premium quality that did not match the test results because a number of products were known to have medium to sub-medium quality.
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