Jakarta, Oct. 1 -- Indonesia's food chief said on Wednesday that all rice distributed under public aid must be safe and of good quality, following reports of unfit stock stored in a government warehouse.

National Food Agency (Bapanas) Head Arief Prasetyo Adi made the remarks after Commission IV of parliament reported that 1,200 tons of rice stored at a Bulog warehouse in Tabahawa, North Maluku, was deemed unsuitable for consumption.

"Rice given to the public must be of good quality, with no excuses," Arief told reporters at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs in Jakarta.

"Bulog is tasked with distributing food aid, and that aid must be proper," he added.

He said Bulog, the state logistics agency, was also responsible for stabil...