Minister Of Agriculture Amran Reveals Oplosan Rice Sold In Minimarkets

Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman revealed that adulterated rice repackaged as premium products has been circulating in several well-known minimarkets.

This was revealed after the related team took samples from various levels of distribution, including from several minimarkets and supermarkets.

"Yes, it's circulating. Supermarkets are circulating. We take samples from there all," Amran told reporters at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Thursday, July 3.

However, at this time, his party claimed to have seen the minimarket that suddenly pulled the mixed rice product from circulation after Amran dismantled the case. It is hoped that this step will have a positive impact on consumers.

However, Amran said evidence related to the practice of mixing had been submitted to the police and prosecutors for follow-up.

Regarding sanctions, Amran requested that legal action be focused on large producers who commit fraud, not on small traders.

"Don't sacrifice small traders. But to the big producers. Don't be the retail sellers," he said.

The reason is, he explained that retail traders often only accept and sell goods without knowing whether the product is according to standards or not.

Amran admitted that he was angry with those who played with the price of rice. Even though the rice stock is abundant, the market price has actually increased due to this dirty practice.

He said that subsidized Supply Stabilization and Food Price (SPHP) rice was also mixed into premium rice.

The mode is, 80 percent of SPHP rice is taken and mixed to be used as premium rice, while the remaining 20 percent is sold according to the provisions at the kiosks.

Amran estimates that the loss due to the supply of SPHP rice will reach Rp. 10 trillion in the last five years, or around Rp. 2 trillion per year. He said there were 212 free brand manufacturers involved in this fraud, and they had begun to be summoned by the National Police's Food Task Force.