Palm fruits harvested at a farm in Medan city, Indonesia (Photo: AFP/VNA)Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia, the world’s toppalm oil producer, has asked some retailers in Jakarta to remove food productswith “palm oil-free” labels from their shops, as the country is seeking toprotect its key export.
Ojak Simon Manurung, director of goods and services circulation supervision atIndonesia’s Trade Ministry, said the ministry had conducted inspections at overdozen supermarkets in Jakarta in the past few days, with goods carrying “palmoil-free” labels on their packaging, mostly locally-made foods and snacksremoved from display.
The inspections were carried out after the country’s Drug and Food ControlAgency (BPOM) said “palm oil-free” labeling does not meet its criteria, headded.
In its announcement on August 21, the BPOM said it will not approve fordistribution products with “palm oil-free” labels, affirming palm oil is safeand the labels are reducing palm oil’s competitiveness.
Palm oil is under scrutiny over environmental concerns, including those fromthe European Union. The European Commission (EC) said earlier this year thatpalm oil should be phased out from transport fuel in the bloc after thecommission concluded that it causes deforestation.
Last week, the EC also imposed countervailing duties of8 percent to 18 percent on imports of palm based biodiesel from Indonesia.-VNA
VNA
