Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The Ministry of Trade clarified it never instructed retailers to pull premium rice from store shelves amid concerns of a shortage.

“There was no withdrawal order, just price adjustment,” said Moga Simatupang, the Director General of Consumer Protection and Trade Compliance, on Monday (4/8/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

He explained that retailers were encouraged to lower prices on rice that does not meet premium quality standards, not to remove them.

The National Food Agency (Bapanas) also emphasized that available rice stocks must still reach consumers. 

“This rice is good; it just does not match the packaging quality claim. So prices should be lowered by around Rp1,000,” said Bapanas Head Arief Prasetyo Adi.

Bapanas’ circular to the Indonesian Retailers Association (APRINDO) urges continued sales and discourages stock withdrawal to avoid public confusion and shortages.

Rice with high broken content remains safe for consumption, officials said, and should be sold at adjusted prices to enable consumers to access it.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)