Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government will promptly investigate and take action regarding reports of companies producing or distributing rice that does not match the quantities and qualities stated on their labels.
This was announced by Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri on Tuesday.
"We will collaborate with the Food Task Force to take the necessary actions," she remarked.
Putri stressed that the Ministry of Trade is committed to overseeing the distribution and fulfillment of quality standards of essential goods, notably rice and cooking oil, given their significance to the public.
In that regard, she emphasized that the Food Task Force, which includes the National Police and other state institutions, has the authority to enforce the law to prevent fraud, including by taking legal actions against offenders.
"The Food Task Force shares the responsibility of addressing this matter," she stated.
Earlier, on March 26, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman announced that his team would conduct an investigation into companies suspected of labeling medium-quality rice as premium-quality rice.
"We have taken rice samples from various places, and upon assessment, the rice turned out to be of medium quality, though packaged as premium-grade rice," he told the media in Jakarta.
However, the minister refrained from revealing the names of the suspected companies and the locations where their rice was found, simply saying, "They are not far."
Sulaiman then warned business entities against committing such scams, threatening them with legal punishment.
"We will soon carry out a nationwide investigation," he emphasized.
