HOME PAGE

"For Business and Understanding"

SELLING AND REGISTERING CONSUMER FOOD PRODUCTS IN INDONESIA

Prepared by the US Commercial Center, US Department of Commerce, Jakarta, Indonesia

Need for a local agent/distributor

Since foreign companies cannot distribute at the retail level, a local agent or distributor can be useful to build sales. The typical buyer will be a national distributor or major retailer. However, it is possible to make sales from off shore to a qualified importer for many products.

Almost all consumer food items are imported by companies with a general importers license(IU=importer umum). Large entities, such as supermarket chains, have their own importing and distribution affiliates, although they also buy from independent importers. Hotels and upmarket independent restaurants buy from many different importers as well as local producers.

Click here to see a list of major food importers. Most have their own frozen food storage facilities.

Department of Health Food Registration Procedures:

• a registration application form
• a sample of food
• a label and brochure
• a letter of certification from the foreign factory (FDA or equivalent)
• a certificate of health

Approval Conditions of the Minister of Health

• food meets the quality standards of the Minister
• is not prohibited in the country of origin
• is not harmful or will not negatively affect health
• is free of diseases contagious to people, plants, or animals

Prohibitions

• food cannot be putrid, repugnant, dirty, decayed or decomposed
• contains diseased vegetable or animal substances
• contains or has present more parts or excrement of insects than the maximum limit
• contains or has present more than the maximum limit of pesticides or other insecticides
• contains more poisonous chemicals, minerals, or metalloid, or additives than the maximum limit
• contains more pathogenic microorganisms than the maximum limit
• is unfit for human consumption or harmful to human health

Approval

• After the registration has been approved, the Ministry of Health will issue a registration number (preceded by letters ML) which must be clearly marked on the label of the food.

LABELING AND ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS

Labels must be in the Indonesian or English language using Roman letters.

Labels must contain the following information:

• name of food and/or brand name
• ingredients, unless genially known to the public
• net contents or net weight
• name and address of food producer, distributor or importer (including name of city and country or origin)
• registration number

Additional Labeling Requirements for Certain Foods

• production code (lot identifications)
• expiration date for perishable foods as determined by the Ministry of Health
• storage instructions (if required for certain foods such as milk products)
• usage instructions (preparation and handling)
• nutritional value
• Specific wording or statements indicating contents for following products:
  • sweetened condensed milk (ed.go. "Warning ! Not suitable for infants below six months old")
  • food containing material of pig origin
  • milk and food containing milk, baby food and commercially sterilized canned food (e.g. unsalted butter, contains no milk, reconstituted cheese, very low sodium, light syrup)
  • artificial sweetener
  • breast milk substitute
  • food additives
  • irradiated food
  • 'Halal' food

   

  ---

  Foods Requiring Expiration Dates

  • Pasteurized milk
  • sterilized milk
  • fermented milk
  • dried milk/milk powder
  • food and beverages containing milk
  • baby food
  • commercial sterilized canned food
  • bread, biscuits and bread type products
  • low calorie food
  • nutrient supplement food
  • cocoa and cocoa products
  • nut and nut products
  • edible fat and oil
  • margarine
  • peanut butter
  • egg products
  • sausage
  • soft drinks( non-carbonated)
  • juice

  Determination of Date of Minimum Durability

  • The producer shall determine the date
  • In determining the date marking, the producer shall take the following steps type of food, method of processing, packaging, storage condition, availability of storage at the distribution areas
  • The producer or the importer must give the reasons or data to support the minimum durability date.
  • The producer or importer bears the responsibility for the date stated on labels.
  • Labeling Method
  • date must be stated in Day/Month/Year format for food with a shelf life of up to 3 months, and shall be declared in Month/Year format with a shelf life of more than 3 months.
  • The date can be indicated on the bottle top, bottom of a can, on the upper part of a box and other suitable places, and must be clear and legible
  • The label must also have a readily legible notice, as follows, "Use best before ...(fill in date)
  • The package or wrapping of food containing material of pig origin must bear a notice in the form of a picture of a pig and a writing which reads: "contains pork" and shall be written in red capital letters not smaller than Universal 12 point within a red box

  ---

  Food Additives Permitted

  antioxidant, anticaking agent, acidity, regulator, artificial sweetener, flour treatment, agent emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener preservative, firming agent, color, flavor, flavor enhancer, sequestrant

  Each imported additive must be accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis from the producer in the country of origin

  ---

  SHIPPING YOUR PRODUCT

  Expiration Date Restrictions

  Foods must arrive in Indonesia (at the latest) according to the following time schedule:

  • 1.5 years before the expiration date for food with a shelf life of 2 or more years
  • 8 months before the expiration date for food with a shelf life of one year
  • 4 months before the expiration date for food with a shelf life of 6 months
  • 2 months before the expiration date for food with a shelf life of 3 months

  Documents To Be Forwarded to Ministry of Health to Land Product

  Photocopy of L/C, invoice, packing list, and bill of lading

  Products Requiring a Halal Certificate

  Foods containing:gelatin,tallow, shortening and/or animal fat

  Certificate of Health Must Accompany Product

  A Certificate of Health issued by the authorized body in the country of origin must accompany all food products

  Pre-Shipment Inspection Requirement

  All shipments (including food) to Indonesia valued at or above $5,000 must be inspected in the country of origin. These inspections are carried out on behalf of the Indonesian government by SGS (PT Surveyor Indonesia) at no charge to the exporter. Shipments valued at less than $5,000 are inspected by Indonesian Customs when they arrive at an Indonesian port.