TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Association of Indonesian Retail Businesses (Aprindo), said that there were no increase of illegal food and beverages in the month of Ramadhan because retailers have double checked their goods before it reaches the consumers.

"I am the first person to ensure that there are no illegal products in retailers," said Secretary General of Aprindo Satria Hamid, yesterday.

According to Satria, all retailers who are members of Aprindo have delivered the best products, especially prior to the upcoming Lebaran holiday where retailers race to gain large profits. "Ramadhan is the month of large profits so we will not put our reputations at stake by selling illegal products," he said.

He also said that all retailers have verified and rechecked the goods they receive from the suppliers because they stand on the last line of distribution before the product reaches the consumer’s hands.

Previously, the Food and Medicine Supervision Agency (BPOM) have inspected a number of storage warehouses to prevent the distribution of illegal and expired food and beverages. During the inspection at the storage warehouse in Pesing, West Jakarta last June, BPOM found a number of illegal and expired products.

AYU PRIMA SANDI