Premium Packaging But Its Contents Are Suspected Of Bulk Rice, Jambi Provincial Government Temporarily Stops Circulation Of 6 Brands

Head of the Jambi Province Food Security Service Ismed Wijaya (left) (DOK ANTARA)

JAMBI - Jambi Provincial Government found six rice brands in premium packaging that allegedly violated the rules because their contents did not match the label.

This allegation emerged after the Department of Food Security (Dishanpan) and the Jambi Industry and Trade Office (Disperindag) conducted inspections on a number of rice shops in Jambi City.

"The packaging is made premium, but the contents are suspected of being bulk rice. This means that it is not in accordance with the provisions," said Head of the Jambi Disanpan Ismed Wijaya in Jambi, Antara, Wednesday, July 16.

According to him, the discrepancy between the type of packaged rice and the label listed has caused public unrest, especially because the price of premium rice is usually much higher than bulk rice.

As a preventive measure, the circulation of the six rice brands was temporarily suspended until the results of laboratory tests came out. The policy has been agreed upon by a number of large retail shops in the Jambi City area.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Jambi Disperindag Kemas Muhammad Fuad said that six rice samples had been sent to the UPTD Laboratory of the Mutu Barang Certification Center (BPSMB) to be tested for their content and quality.

"We estimate the lab results will come out in two days. After that, the next handling steps will be determined," said Fuad.

Not only that, the Jambi Provincial Government will also send circulars to all regencies and cities to strengthen rice supervision in the field.

"We want the public to be comfortable, not feel cheated, and this is part of the enforcement of commercial order and consumer protection," said Ismed.

This step is a form of response to consumer complaints that feel aggrieved by buying premium rice with substandard quality.