TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Trade Ministry will monitor and take actions against distributors of instant noodles containing pork.

"The items have already been removed from circulation by BPOM [Drugs and Food Monitoring Agency], we will monitor them for now. Actions will be taken if distribution continues," Director General of Customer Protection and Trade Regulation, Trade Ministry, Syahrul Mamma told Tempo yesterday, June 19.

Aside from monitoring the distribution of the Korean instant noodles in offline retailers, such as mini-markets and hypermarkets, Syahrul said, the Ministry will also advise online consumers. "We advise the people that the products are not halal. But we will also take actions against those distributing them online," he said.

Director General of Foreign Trade Oke Nurwan said that the Ministry has yet to revoke the identification numbers of the importer of four instant noodle brands containing pork.

Earlier, BPOM issued an order to withdraw Korean instant noodles from circulation for not displaying product warning which said "Mengandung Babi" (Contains Pork).

According to BPOM circular, the instant noodles products are Samyang Mi Instan U-Dong, Nongshim Mi Instan (Shin Ramyun Black), Samyang Mi Instan Rasa Kimchi, and Ottogi Mi Instan (Yeul Ramen). The importer of the products is PT Koin Bumi.

CAESAR AKBAR