Bulog Boss Claims Imported Rice Saved Since Last Year Safe To Consume

Illustration of Bulog rice (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Director of Perum Bulog Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani claimed that rice imported last year which was still stored in Bulog rice storage warehouses had nothing to worry about.

"So, there is also rice in our place (Bulog warehouse) Jakarta which (still keeps) stock in 2024," said Rizal while inspecting the DKI Jakarta & Banten Bulog Rice Warehouse on Jalan Pelepah Raya, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Saturday, September 6.

According to Rizal, the rice is processed every day through cleaning and using special equipment. From the processing results, the good quality of the rice is maintained, while the rice is not suitable, it is automatically separated.

"We processed it (oriented rice) daily like before. If it is processed, cleaned and used (with) tools, the results are quite good. The bad ones are separated by themselves," he said.

Rizal said that the handling of rice in the warehouse was carried out through fumigation, which was then evaluated by taking samples from various points, starting from the corner, the center to the top of the rice pile. If it turns out that pests are found, the fumigation will be continued until the pests are completely dead.

He considered that the rice that had been separated was not thrown away, but was used for feed needs to remain useful. Rizal also ensured that the disposal option or disposal was not carried out immediately.

Then related to storage power, said Rizal, Bulog classifies rice based on stock age, ranging from 0 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, 6 to 9 months, 9 months to 1 year and over 1 year.

"So, we made that classification. But in principle, as long as the rice is maintained or cared for properly, God willing, the period of use is long," he said.

If his condition worsens even though he has been treated optimally, Rizal continued, this will be reported to the leadership to determine the solution.

"The point is that we will take care of it as well as possible, keeping this Bulog rice safe for the long term," he explained.