Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) has moved to reassure consumers that U.S. Products imported into Indonesia will continue to be subject to halal certification requirements. The statement from BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan came amid circulating reports that a recent trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States would eliminate the need for halal labeling on U.S. Goods.
Responding to Trade Deal Concerns
Haikal dismissed these reports as inaccurate, emphasizing that the U.S. Has maintained halal standards for decades, since the establishment of the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) in 1974. He stated, “I am not defending America. Instead, America is more stringent in halal matters because it has implemented halal regulations since 1974.”
According to Haikal, halal certificates issued by accredited U.S. Bodies are recognized by the BPJPH, Indonesia’s official halal authority. This recognition is formalized through a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) that predates the recently signed trade agreement between President Prabowo Subianto and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The MRA streamlines the certification process; once a U.S. Halal authority issues certification, Indonesian authorities only need to register the product, rather than re-examine its halal status. While the trade agreement signed on February 19, 2026, does grant halal certification exemptions for certain U.S. Products – including cosmetics, medical devices, and manufactured goods – these products still require distribution permits from Indonesia’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).
Haikal stressed transparency in the process, stating, “Do not worry. In terms of halal, nothing is kept secret, nothing is concealed. We find no violations.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Are U.S. Products entering Indonesia required to have a halal label?
Yes, according to BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan, the information circulating that American products entering Indonesia do not require a halal label is not true.
What is the role of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)?
The MRA formalizes mutual acknowledgment of halal standards between BPJPH and foreign halal institutions in the U.S., streamlining the certification process.
Do all U.S. Products entering Indonesia require halal certification?
While most products do, the trade agreement granted certain halal certification exemptions for categories like cosmetics, medical devices, and manufactured goods. However, cosmetics and medical devices still require distribution permits from Indonesia’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).
How might this situation evolve as the Indonesia-U.S. Trade agreement is implemented and interpreted by businesses and regulatory bodies?
