Pizza Hut, Japanese franchise used expired ingredients in Indonesia

A joint investigation by Tempo, a weekly news magazine, and BBC Indonesia has reportedly revealed the use of expired ingredients by fast food chain Pizza Hut, its delivery arm Pizza Hut Delivery (PHD), and Japanese franchise Marugame Udon.

The investigation, according to the reports, show evidence of Indonesian firms Sarimelati Kencana and Sriboga Marugame Indonesia – both subsidiaries of major flour producer Sriboga Raturaya – extending the expiry date on their ingredients, and using them in the food. This practice, according to reports, happened systematically, involved top management, and carried on for years.

Some of these ingredients include: “Veggie Chicken Sausage”, a “Carbonara Sauce Mix”, “Citrus Marinade”, and “Satay Sauce”, among several others. Photographic evidence reportedly shows a sticker on a packet of “Bonito powder” with instructions to use it for up to a period of three months after expiry. The instructions were said to be relayed via email by the purchasing department.

Both Sarimelati Kencana – which manages Pizza Hut and PHD in Indonesia – and Sriboga Marugame Indonesia – which manages Marugame Udon – issued statements on Sunday (Sep 4) denying the allegations, saying they only used food ingredients “of high quality” which were “suitable for consumption.”

Meanwhile, Stephen McCartney, president director of Sarimelati Kencana, told local media in a press conference that the company that the company never made a profit “by compromising on food safety.” Alwin Arifin, president director of Siboga Raturaya, said the allegations were defamatory.

The matter is currently under investigation by police. Besides Yum! Brands and Japan’s Toridoll Corporation which owns Marugame Udon, Sriboga Raturaya is also a local partner for Nissin and Mitsubishi.