Indonesia to Tighten Processed Food Import Controls

Indonesia is to introduce new trade controls on imported processed foods and a revised application process subject to government approval. The new application process would require food firms exporting processed food items into Indonesia to obtain an approved Surat Keterangan Impor (SKI, Import Notification Letter) from Indonesia’s Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM, National Agency of Drug and Food Control) before being allowed to ship any processed foods into the country.  
This newest amendment would fall under the 2021 version of the country’s food and drug import law.  In the previous 2017 version, processed foods were not specified as part of the import items list required to obtain an SKI for entry which only included drugs, cosmetics, health supplements and certain fresh foods and processing ingredient, but not processed foods.  The new regulations also specify shelf-life requirements for imported processed foods, likely to avoid product dumping or soon-to-expire items from entering to the country and reaching lower socio-economic households that might purchase these at lower prices, unaware of the food safety risks. 
    BPOM is also encouraging all food firm applicants to go digital by registering via Indonesia’s National Single Window website which is part of the nation’s attempt to ‘debureaucratise’ its governmental operations and increase transparency.  In addition, to boosting Indonesia’s international trade with the world.