Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Food Agency (Bapanas) is moving to revoke the distribution permits of fortified and nutrient-claimed rice brands that fail to meet mandated quality and safety standards.Andi Amran Sulaiman, who serves as both Bapanas Head and Agriculture Minister, stated that the aggressive crackdown is being enforced following recent laboratory testing that revealed widespread labeling violations and potential consumer losses reaching Rp71 trillion (US$4.4 billion).”As Head of Bapanas… I revoke the permits. I have instructed officials to prohibit distribution based directly on validated laboratory results,” Amran said in his statement on Saturday.The enforcement action stems from April 2026 monitoring across the Jakarta area, where authorities collected 15 samples across 15 brands from nine separate producers.The sample pool consisted of three fortified rice products and 12 rice products carrying specific health or nutritional claims.Subsequent laboratory testing indicated that out of the 12 samples claiming nutritional value, only three met legal standards, while nine failed to comply.Additionally, three brands omitted mandatory Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) percentages from their packaging labels.Amran pointed out that non-compliant products were being retailed at inflated figures—averaging Rp22,000 (US$1.38) per kilogram, with select samples reaching up to Rp42,500 (US$2.66) per kilogram—substantially exceeding the Highest Retail Price (HET) established for premium rice.He emphasized that this widespread practice inflicts severe economic harm on the public, with potential total consumer losses estimated to reach an extraordinary Rp71 trillion (US$4.44 billion).Under the Indonesian National Standard (SNI 9372:2025), fortified rice—defined as milled rice enriched with fortified kernels—is legally required to meet precise micro-nutritional thresholds per 100 grams.Compliant batches must deliver at least 0.25 mg of Vitamin B1, 0.25 mg to 0.38 mg of Folic Acid, 1.0 μg to 1.5 μg of Vitamin B12, 3.50 mg to 5.25 mg of Iron, and 3.0 mg to 4.5 mg of Zinc to guarantee consumer safety and proper health benefit.To legally market these products in Indonesia, manufacturers must obtain Fresh Food of Plant Origin (PSAT) distribution permits issued by Bapanas in coordination with the Regional Food Safety Competent Authority (OKKPD).Following the initial findings, Bapanas has formally referred the case to the national Food Task Force and announced plans to brief the Chief of the Indonesian National Police for further legal handling.In response to ongoing public complaints, Bapanas plans to expand its inspection scope to test at least 200 samples across 40 commercial brands in 11 provinces, operating in coordination with accredited laboratory facilities nationwide.