Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Arief Prasetyo Adi, appealed to rice producers to adjust the selling price if the quality of the product marketed does not match the label listed, especially in the premium rice category.
This statement was conveyed following the findings of premium mixed rice that did not comply with the quality standards in the market.
He emphasized that rice sold as premium rice must meet certain quality standards, such as fault levels (broken) a maximum of 15 percent and water levels of 14 percent. If the content of the fracture exceeds this figure, then the price must be lowered according to the actual quality.
"Yes, if it's not appropriate, just lower the price. Yes, that's the consequence. This is premium rice, the broken price must be 15 percent. For example, extreme, the broken price is 30 percent, so just lower the price like a broken 30 percent, so it's not cheating," he told reporters at the Senayan Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, July 17.
He also emphasized the importance of honesty by business actors in maintaining the quality and trust of consumers. He encouraged producers to check quality independently through quality control and quality assurance owned by each company.
He also suggested that the results of laboratory testing from independent surveyors be submitted to the Food Task Force as comparative data on findings in the field.
"Prove a lab check from each of their products, from an independent surveyor, so that it can be proven that the broken price is in accordance with 15 percent, the water level is at 14 percent. It's not difficult for the brand to be independent of surveyors to check," continued Arief.
Arief reminded that the labelled premium rice product packaging must be officially registered through the Fresh Planted Products (PSAT) system and comply with the labelization rules. If the producer does not maintain the quality of the contents according to the label, then the brand image will be damaged in the eyes of the public.
"People's periods have gone to the moon, we are still discussing premium and medium issues. We have to fix this together," he concluded.
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Previously, the Food Task Force together with the ranks of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) conducted a surprise inspection (sidak), as a result, 212 rice brands (premium and medium) were found which were suspected to be mixed.
"We will not tolerate fraudulent practices like this. Don't confuse the people with mixing rice and selling it at premium prices. This is not only an economic problem, but also moral," said Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman.
Based on the report from the Food Task Force to the Minister, of the total hundreds of rice brands investigated, 26 brands admitted to the action.
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