1.      The BPOM Food Distribution License is a permit that food product distributors must apply for before distribution. Each individual product requires a corresponding certificate to ensure that the production, storage, and sales methods of the registered product comply with BPOM’s food safety management regulations. Once this license is obtained, the company can legally produce, import, and sell the food product.

2.      According to the relevant regulations on food safety management by Indonesia’s BPOM, food and processed food are defined as follows:

a.      Food:

Food refers to all finished products or raw materials originating from agriculture, forestry, fisheries, animal husbandry, plantations, and aquatic environments, including both processed and unprocessed items, intended for human consumption as food or beverages. This also includes food additives, raw materials, and other ingredients used in the preparation, processing, and/or production of food or beverages.

b.      Processed Food:

Processed food refers to food or beverages that have been treated using specific methods or techniques, with or without the inclusion of additives.

3.      Processed foods that do not require a BPOM distribution license:
a.      Products with a shelf life/expiry period of less than 7 days
b.      Products used as food ingredients and not sold directly to end consumers
c.      Products that are packaged on-site and sold in small quantities upon customer request

4.      In Indonesia, food products are categorized into three risk levels based on the target consumers, health claims, use of food additives, production processes, and food ingredients:
a.      Low Risk (MR):
Generally refers to foods without any claims, without restrictions on food additives, and without special production processes (such as pasteurization or sterilization).

b.      Medium-High Risk (MT):
Typically includes foods subject to mandatory SNI (Indonesian National Standard) certification, which must be obtained before applying for the BPOM food distribution license. Examples include palm cooking oil, coffee, cocoa powder, etc.

c.      High Risk (T):
Usually refers to foods or processed foods that involve health claims, restricted use of additives, special production processes (such as pasteurization or sterilization), or specific nutritional purposes (e.g., infant formula, sports nutrition products).

5.      Before applying for the BPOM Food Distribution License, the following are required:
a.      Food SMKPO Certificate
b.      BPOM Video Account

6.      After obtaining the BPOM Distribution License, for low-risk food products, a commitment assessment of the documentation will be conducted within a maximum of 12 months after the license is issued.If the results of the commitment assessment are non-compliant, the distribution license will be revoked by BPOM.During the assessment period, your company is allowed to import and distribute the products.

7.      Before applying for the BPOM Food Distribution License, a preliminary assessment of the product’s risk level requires the following information:
a.      List of ingredients
b.      Production flowchart
c.      Product dosage form or physical state
d.      Method of consumption
e.      Packaging design
f.       Product claims (*if any)

8.      The BPOM license is valid for 5 years. One year before expiration, the BPOM system will issue a reminder, and the company must complete the renewal process in a timely manner.

9.      If a company fails to obtain the BPOM license or does not renew it upon expiration while continuing to sell its products in the market, the following negative consequences may occur:
a.      Forced recall or revocation of the related products by BPOM
b.      Revocation of the Food SMKPO Certificate or CPPOB Certificate (for local factories)
c.      Revocation of other related production and import licenses