The government is ready to lower the International Commission For Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) standard for imported raw sugar that will be processed into refined sugar to meet domestic needs.

“In the coordination meeting, it was decided that sugar for refining should not be below 200, because below 200 is what is used for consumption. That’s all, why do we regulate all sorts of things, above 200 means it must be refined,” said Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita in Jakarta, Wednesday.

The level of sugar purity related to sugar color is stated with the ICUMSA number standard, the smaller the number indicates a higher level of sugar purity.

Article 2 of the Regulation of the Minister of Industry and Trade (Permerindag) No.527/2004 concerning Sugar Import Provisions, it is stated that imported raw sugar must have an ICUMSA above 1,200.

According to Enggar, this standard makes India, as a country that exports raw sugar to Indonesia with an ICUMSA of 600, make its raw sugar more brownish in color to meet the requirements.

“What Indian producers do to follow our provisions is dangerous for us because they deliberately re-contaminate their sugar production so that the ICUMSA increases, meaning it is poison for our people,” he said.

In this case, the Minister of Trade will follow up on this policy by revising the related trade minister’s regulations.

“I’m waiting for the decision of the coordination meeting and the minutes have been given, yes we will continue to follow up with the trade regulation,” he concluded.

source: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/1044432/pemerintah-siap-turunkan-standar-icumsa-impor-gula-mentah