Minimarkets Only Entrusted, The Food Task Force Has Not Found Retailer Involvement In The Oplosan Rice Case

Premium rice marketed in one of the well-known mini markets. (Photo: Ade Miranti/VOI)

JAKARTA - The head of the National Police's Food Task Force, Brigadier General Helfi Assegaf, said that until now, his party had not found any indications of involvement or malicious intentions from modern retail parties, including minimarkets, in the case of premium rice that did not comply with quality standards aka mixed rice.

He said the rice was mostly only deposited by producers to be sold through networks of modern minimarkets and retail stores.

Therefore, the main responsibility remains with the producers.

"Regarding minimarkets, it's retail that has been entrusted. The evil is that he hasn't been found, unless we find an investigation process if he knows it was done by their agreement, it's another problem," said Helfi in a press statement in Jakarta, Thursday, July 24.

Modern retailers have actually asked for statements from producers who entrust rice products to ensure the quality and quality of rice is the full responsibility of the producer.

"Yesterday we saw that there was a letter from retail to the producer who entrusted it to modern retail that the goods deposited were the responsibility of the producer. It was stated that the rice sold was in accordance with the provisions and was the responsibility of the producer," said Helfi.

The Director of Special Economic Crimes at Bareskrim Polri emphasized that producers have an obligation to ensure the quality of rice in accordance with the commitments that have been submitted to retail, and ensure that the products in circulation do not cause legal problems or losses for consumers.

The case of mixed rice has dragged a number of producers who have been proven to have labeled and packaged premium rice in accordance with quality standards.

A total of 212 premium rice brands based on the findings of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) stated that there were allegations of oplosan.

The Food Task Force has also raised its status to an investigation into this case as well as confiscated a number of documentary evidence and 201 tons of rice allegedly mixed.

Even though it has entered the fingerprinting stage, the Police will not withdraw rice in the market, only ordering producers to lower or adjust prices according to HET.