West Java Disperindag Had Pulled Oplosan Rice, Now Waiting For Lab Test

The Department of Industry and Trade (Disperindag) of West Java (West Java) stated that his party had withdrawn 13 rice brands in Greater Bandung which were suspected of being oplosan or not in accordance with quality claims, and are currently waiting for the results of laboratory tests.

According to the Head of the West Java Industry and Trade Department, Nining Yulistiani, this is related to the disclosure of the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the findings of 212 rice brands which are suspected to be incompatible with quality claims, and 86 percent of them claim premium or medium rice, even though they are of ordinary quality.

Of all 212 rice brands, 13 of them have been released, such as Sovia, Fortune, Siip, King Ultima, King Platinum, Alfamidi Setra Pulen, Rice Premium Setra Ramos, Rice Pulen Wangi, Food Station, Ramos Premium, Setra Pulen, Setra Ramos, and Shafa.

"So, since the Minister's statement was made, we immediately went to the field to carry out surveillance. In some of the retailers we visited, when we found the 13 types of rice were still being sold, we asked them to be temporarily withdrawn, not to sell them first," Nining said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 15.

Nining said the supervision was carried out last week by a joint team of the Food Task Force from the local Food and Livestock Security Service (DKPP), the Bandung City Government, and law enforcement officials to comb through a number of modern retailers in the Greater Bandung area with a focus on packaged rice, considering that bulk rice does not refer to product labels.

From the results of the supervision, Nining said that physically the rice was indeed in accordance with the provisions of the quality of rice from the label, net weight, physical rice grains and prices according to the Highest Retail Price (HET).

However, Disperindag continues to conduct lab tests from samples taken from retail stores at random. The testing is being prepared with coverage to be expanded outside Bandung.

"We have taken samples from 13 brands and an internal lab test is being carried out. We are also waiting for the results from other cities/regencies to draw comprehensive conclusions. It cannot be done only from one point. The time is complete, we cannot be confirmed, because we want to be valid and accountable, but we hope it can be completed in two weeks," he said.

Nining revealed that on July 12, 2025, after the withdrawal of products from retail and markets, the West Java Disperindag received letters from four distributors, namely PT Padi Indonesia Maju (Wilmar), PT Food Station Tjipinang Jaya, PT Belitang Panen Raya (Beras Raja), and Japfa for PT Sentosa Utama Lestari regarding their products.

"We received a letter from four distributors stating that all the rice they produce does not contain mixed elements, and is in accordance with the quality of the label. These rice has now been resold in retail," he said.

However, Nining emphasized that lab tests will continue, and if quality violations or label counterfeitings are found, Disperindag will provide a stern warning to distributors.

He said, if there are no significant changes, further sanctions including product withdrawals and recommendations to the Food Task Force at the West Java Regional Police could be applied.

"We have PPNS (Civil Servant Investigators), so we can enter the realm of prosecution," said Nining.

Beyond quality issues, Nining also underlined the risk of dominoes, namely price fluctuations if the issue of oplosan is not controlled. Because public perceptions can turn into fear of scarcity and food inflation.

"If distribution is disrupted, or people panic, prices can jump beyond HET. Therefore, we continue to monitor stocks and move quickly to coordinate with Bulog if supplies are disrupted," he said.