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Trade Ministry confiscates tons of illegal sugar, expired beef
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Trade Ministry officials burn illegal sugar at the ministry’s car park in Jakarta on Sept. 28. It has confiscated 21.3 tons of illegal sugar in the first half of the year. (JP/Stefani Ribka)
T
he Trade Ministry announced on Thursday that it has confiscated 21.3 tons of illegal sugar and 47.9 tons of expired Australian beef during the first half of this year, and punished four firms for their alleged involvement in the irregularities.
Trade ministry consumer protection and trade order director general Syahrul Mamma said the sugar was meant for industry, not household use, however it was leaked by three food and beverage firms in Ciawi and Bogor in West Java to the market. Meanwhile, the expired beef was distributed by one firm.
He refused to reveal the names of the companies.
“We have instructed sugar producers to stop supplying the three firms [until an unconfirmed date] and instructed the beef trader to stop sales. We could revoke its import permit [if it sells expired beef again],” he said on Thursday.
Read also: Government criticized for tardiness in revitalizing old sugar factoriesThe ministry burned 2 tons of beef and 2 tons of sugar on the day and claimed that the remainder will be burned by the distributors themselves under the ministry's supervision.
Indonesian law separates sugar into two categories: refined sugar for industry use and household sugar for public consumption. The former must not be leaked into the household market. (bbn)
