The National Police's Food Task Force Reveals That Producer Mode Doesn't Have A Lab But Still Sells Premium

The Head of the Food Task Force (Satgas) who is also the Director of Special Economic Crimes (Dirtipideksus) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Brigadier General Helfi Assegaf, revealed the cheating practice of a number of rice producers selling premium labeled products without going through laboratory tests.

According to him, until now there are still producers operating normally, but some of them no longer produce because they do not have laboratories.

"Until today, there are still those who produce. However, some are not producing, because they don't have a lab. They sell packaging but don't have a lab. That means, how much rice is produced, I don't know, the important thing is that I sell premiums," said Helfi in a Public Discussion held by the Indonesian Ombudsman, in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 26.

Helfi said that a number of manufacturers had never even conducted laboratory tests since the company was founded. "They have never done (lab lab testing) since the company was founded. Moreover, there is a lab in the company, never. Anyway, the mill is finished, so rice, premium packaging, keep selling high prices, that's what happened," he said.

Helfi explained that the Food Task Force had also confiscated a number of evidences in the form of production machines and equipment used to commit criminal acts. However, his party still considers aspects of national food availability.

"Regarding the issue of confiscated goods in the form of production machines, the tools used to commit crimes. We sealed them initially, but we are still maintaining, still paying attention to production so that our stock remains stable," he said.

The National Food Agency (Bapanas) reminded rice milling business actors and rice producers to consistently fill supply in traditional and modern markets amid rice price fluctuations. The government emphasizes that business actors who obey the rules will receive protection.

"The National Food Agency together with the National Police Food Task Force asked rice pangolins to continue producing rice and supply it to traditional markets and modern markets by keeping the quality requirements as stated in the packaging label," said Head of Badanas Arief Prasetyo Adi in an official statement, Tuesday, August 19.

"The government invites rice mills and rice entrepreneurs not to withdraw or hold the existing stock. Still selling consistently, but the price must be in accordance with the terms of quality and applicable regulations. As said the Coordinating Minister for Food, if it does not violate and obey the rules, the government will definitely protect it," he continued.

Arief emphasized the importance of compliance with the quality standards of rice in circulation. According to him, the difference in the price of packaged rice and bulk, one of which is influenced by the cost of packaging.