The Rice Adulteration Case Could Be the Tip of the Iceberg of Food Trade Governance Issues Said Abdullah Questions Market Oddities, Goods Abundant but Prices Keep Rising. Rep: Muhammad Noor Alfian Choir, M. nursyamsyi / Ed: Gita Amanda

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Coordinator of the People's Coalition for Food Sovereignty (KRKP), Said Abdullah, noted that the recent revelation of mixed rice cases could be the tip of the iceberg for deeper issues in the national food trade. According to Said, the practice of mixing rice is actually not new and often occurs on a small scale. According to him, if the current case is truly proven, it indicates a serious gap in existing policies. "If this is proven, it means there are also weak sides to the existing policies and regulations, which these perpetrators are exploiting," Said told Republika when contacted on Wednesday night (16/7/2025). He also said that the mixing practice is likely done to maintain volume and profit margins amid high paddy prices and limited supply. He suspects that some traders are forced to mix low-quality rice to remain competitive in the market, especially because rice selling prices are regulated through the Highest Retail Price (HET) that has not ...