Latest news with #BPOM
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Food packaging in Indonesia gets major safety upgrade
As global awareness of food safety grows, Indonesia has introduced landmark regulations governing materials that come into contact with food. These changes are designed to strengthen consumer protection, align with international standards, and offer long-term benefits for public health and trade. With the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) and Ministry of Industry working in tandem, businesses involved in food packaging face a new regulatory landscape that demands attention and adaptation. Stricter food contact material rules aim to boost consumer safety In November 2024, BPOM notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its new regulation covering food contact materials (FCMs). This regulation spans all major material groups used in food packaging, including plastics, metals, glass, ceramics, paper, and cardboard. Central to the regulation are specific migration limits (SMLs) and overall migration limits (OMLs), which control the amount of substances that can transfer from packaging into food. These limits are based on scientific risk assessments and aim to prevent potential health hazards from chemical exposure. A cornerstone of the regulation is the introduction of a positive list of approved substances that are permitted for use in the production of food contact materials. Any material not on this list is effectively prohibited unless future safety data justifies inclusion. In addition, a list of banned substances highlights materials known to pose health risks, which are now strictly forbidden. This approach mirrors established systems in the EU and helps harmonise Indonesia's standards with global norms. Manufacturers and importers are granted a compliance window of up to 12 months following the regulation's promulgation, allowing them time to reformulate products, adjust supply chains, and ensure documentation is in order. During this period, businesses must also prepare to meet new requirements for safety documentation and testing, reinforcing transparency and accountability in the sector. New national standard for paper and cardboard packaging takes effect in 2025 While BPOM's regulation covers all food contact materials, a separate but complementary move was made by the Ministry of Industry. On 24 January 2025, it enacted Regulation No. 6 of 2025, which mandates the adoption of SNI 8218:2024—a revised Indonesian National Standard for paper and cardboard used in primary food packaging. This new SNI updates the earlier 2015 version, integrating advances in material science and international best practices. The updated standard outlines stringent physical and chemical performance criteria for paper-based packaging materials. It includes migration testing, structural integrity evaluations, and new hygiene requirements. These measures are intended to reduce contamination risks and maintain the safety of dry, wet, or greasy food products that come into direct contact with paper or cardboard packaging. In alignment with global quality assurance practices, the regulation references ISO 9001 quality management systems, reinforcing the need for consistent production processes and traceability. It also introduces a formal requirement for a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), similar to European Union protocols. This declaration, provided by the manufacturer, certifies that a product complies with relevant safety standards and has passed necessary inspections. Businesses have until 24 July 2025 to fully implement these standards. Compliance is not just a legal necessity; it also opens doors to international markets where regulatory equivalence is a prerequisite for trade. What this means for manufacturers, exporters, and consumers For food manufacturers and packaging producers, these regulatory updates represent both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, companies must reassess their supply chains, reformulate materials, and perform rigorous testing to meet the new requirements. On the other hand, compliance will improve product safety, reduce liability, and enhance consumer trust—particularly at a time when sustainability and transparency are under scrutiny. Exporters stand to benefit from alignment with international standards. By mirroring European and ISO frameworks, Indonesian products can gain easier access to markets abroad, reducing the regulatory burden of dual testing or reformulation for exports. Businesses operating across borders will find it easier to meet both domestic and foreign requirements, facilitating smoother trade and boosting Indonesia's competitiveness in the global food industry. Consumers, too, are set to benefit significantly. Safer packaging means reduced exposure to harmful chemicals and a lower risk of food contamination. By demanding that all materials used in packaging pass scientific scrutiny, the government is taking a decisive step toward safeguarding public health. From an environmental perspective, these changes may also encourage the development of eco-friendly packaging materials that meet both safety and sustainability standards. As global demand for recyclable and compostable materials rises, the new regulations could spur innovation and investment in safer, greener alternatives. A turning point for food packaging regulation in southeast Asia Indonesia's new food contact material laws mark a significant evolution in food safety governance. By adopting comprehensive standards for both chemical safety and quality assurance, the country is aligning itself more closely with international norms while addressing domestic health concerns. For manufacturers, exporters, and regulators alike, the coming year will be critical in ensuring that implementation is smooth, effective, and beneficial for all stakeholders. As the global food packaging industry continues to evolve, Indonesia's approach provides a model for how developing economies can modernise regulations in a way that supports both local health outcomes and international trade. By prioritising transparency, science, and consumer safety, these reforms are poised to have a lasting impact on the nation's food supply chain for years to come. "Food packaging in Indonesia gets major safety upgrade" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNA
01-08-2025
- Health
- CNA
Indonesia's military set to produce drugs for public use to lower prices. Will it cause more headaches?
JAKARTA: Indonesia's plan for the military to produce medicines for public use has sparked alarm among health experts, who question whether the armed forces possess the required expertise and safety protocols. Although facilities run by the army, navy and air force already produce drugs for their soldiers, experts question if they can meet the standards of modern pharmaceutical production. On Jul 22, Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin signed an agreement with the country's Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) authorising labs run by the army, navy and air force to start producing drugs and medical supplies for civilians. Sjafrie said the military will increase the production capacity of its medical research centres before beginning to produce drugs for the public. The Indonesian government, the minister added, is hoping to launch these military-produced medicines on Oct 5, the 79th anniversary of the country's armed forces. The drugs, he said, will be half the price of those produced by regular pharmaceutical companies and will be available at the 80,000 state-backed Red and White village cooperatives, a programme recently launched by President Prabowo Subianto. 'We will mass produce medicines and ship them to villages at prices which are 50 per cent cheaper than those in the market so people can afford them,' Sjafrie told reporters on Jul 22. "We are thinking of ways to lower the price even more so we could provide free medicines." According to its website, the military has produced 44 types of drugs for internal use, including several paracetamols, pain killers and antibiotics. Officials have not disclosed what medicines or the quantities that would be produced for public use. Experts highlighted the lack of information on the standards and protocols at the military's production facilities. 'Producing medicines requires expertise, precision, sterile labs and strict protocols. How can an institution whose core competence is not in the pharmaceutical sector be allowed to produce medicines for the general public?' Windhu Purnomo, a public health expert from Airlangga University, told CNA. 'What is at stake is the safety, efficacy and quality of the medications produced.' The opaque nature of the military adds to transparency and accountability concerns, observers said. 'If their manufacturing process is faulty, does the health ministry or the BPOM have power over the military? Will those responsible be held accountable? Because the military is not subject to civilian rules and regulations,' said Hermawan Saputra, chairman of the Indonesian Health Expert Association. The pharmaceutical push comes amid a broader political shift under Prabowo, a former defence minister and a retired army general, who has expanded the military's role in civic affairs since he took office last year. Under Prabowo, uniformed men have been appointed to strategic civilian positions inside various ministries, agencies and state-owned enterprises. The military has also been awarded lucrative contracts by the government that range from road construction to cash crop cultivation in various parts of the country. It has even secured catering contracts to supply food to millions of school children and pregnant women under the president's signature free meal initiative. WHAT MEDICINES WILL THE MILITARY PRODUCE? Indonesia has several medical research centres operated by different branches of the armed forces. These centres were built in the 1950s to develop medical procedures, equipment and medicines to treat combat injuries and fight diseases endemic to soldiers' operational areas. The military has not disclosed much information about these research centres, including what types of medication and supplies they produce, how much they produce and where the supplies are distributed. Producing vast quantities of medicines for civilians of different ages and with different health conditions is not the same as manufacturing a limited amount of drugs for a group of young and fit soldiers, experts said. 'The protocols and standards are much stricter for mass produced medicines,' said Hermawan of the health expert association. 'Some chemicals need to be handled, stored and processed in very specific ways. There are strict guidelines to prevent contamination and mix-ups.' Failure to follow these pharmaceutical manufacturing practices can have deadly consequences, he added. In 2022, more than 200 children in various parts of the country died of an acute kidney injury after consuming toxic cough syrup. The poisoning also left several survivors with permanent disabilities including blindness and hearing loss. Last year, an Indonesian court found that lax oversight by the pharmaceutical company Afi Farma and its supplier, Samudra Chemical, caused the syrup to be tainted with ethylene glycol at a concentration that was 1,000 times higher than what is considered safe for consumption. Ethylene glycol is a commonly used chemical in products such as brake fluid and antifreeze. Four officials from Afi Farma and Samudra Chemical were each sentenced to two years in prison and the two companies were ordered to pay millions of dollars in fines and compensation to the victims' families. Samudra Chemical was a new player in the pharmaceutical industry while Afi Farma has been producing medicines since 1985. According to court documents, Samudra was originally selling chemicals to soap manufacturers and had only begun supplying to pharmaceutical companies for a year before the incident occurred. The risk of such poisoning incidents recurring is high if medicines are produced by inexperienced players, experts said. Such episodes, Hermawan said, not only erode the public's trust in the country's health system but also tarnish Indonesia's image internationally. 'Health organisations might think twice about sending free vaccine or drug materials to Indonesia because there is a high chance these materials will not be processed properly,' he said. Taruna Ikrar, chief of the drug supervisory agency BPOM, said his office will ensure that the drugs produced by the military are safe. The Indonesian Armed Forces, he added, is in the process of acquiring the permits and certifications needed to produce and distribute medicines. 'We will make sure the military meets all the requirements, from manufacturing to laboratory standards. We are making recommendations so the military can obtain these certificates,' he said. Indonesian officials have said the military's involvement is needed to keep drug prices low. Existing pharmaceutical players care more about maximising profit than serving people's needs, officials have said, but such an argument misses the mark, experts countered. 'The main problem is 85 per cent of our pharmaceutical ingredients are imported, especially from China and India, and they sometimes involve very long chains of suppliers and intermediaries,' Dicky Budiman, a public health expert from Jakarta's Yarsi University told CNA. This is a factor causing the prices of some drugs in Indonesia to be up to five times that of other countries. 'What the (Indonesian) government should be doing is to build an upstream pharmaceutical industry,' Dicky said. It should provide incentives in the form of tax breaks, subsidies and funding so local pharmaceutical companies, as well as universities and research bodies can develop and produce their own chemical and biological ingredients. 'The government can also force (pharmaceutical) companies to increase their local content through regulations or by prioritising medications with high local content to supply state-run hospitals, health insurance schemes or other government programmes,' he said. Another way to keep medicines affordable is to simplify the distribution chain. The same drug can be sold at starkly different prices at different pharmacies due to various reasons, noted Windhu of Airlangga University. One pharmacy might sell some products cheaply because they are procured directly from the manufacturer. But other products may cost more because the pharmacy may have had to go through layers of distributors and intermediaries. 'Sometimes, a pharmacy will just inflate the price because they are the only ones in town and the nearest competitors are kilometres away,' Windhu added. Each year, the government caps the price of certain generic drugs but experts said this is rarely enforced. Putting a ceiling on how much medicines should cost will force the industry to simplify its distribution chain, Windhu said, as well as curb monopolistic and unethical practices. 'It is no secret that pharmaceutical companies like to provide junkets, lavish events, gifts and even kickbacks to get doctors to prescribe their products, and these costs are ultimately borne by the consumers,' he said. 'It's time the government gets serious about putting a ceiling on how much drugs should be sold, so companies will think twice about these types of practices.' WHEN IS THE MILITARY NEEDED? Despite the outcry, experts acknowledged that the military has valuable assets that can be mobilised to strengthen Indonesia's pharmaceutical industry. With its vast logistical network, disciplined personnel and reach into the most remote corners of the archipelago, the Indonesian Armed Forces could help overcome one of the health sector's most persistent challenges: distribution. 'The military is well equipped to handle distribution to all areas, even the most remote ones. That's different from the private sector which just doesn't have that kind of infrastructure,' Windhu said. The COVID-19 pandemic offered a clear example of how military's logistical abilities and manpower can complement national health efforts. During the pandemic, the military helped transport vaccines, set up field hospitals, and distribute aid to remote regions that proved critical to the overall emergency response. 'The military can be quite useful in times of emergency. However, under normal circumstances, the military should focus on playing a supporting role, filling the gaps which the civilian sector cannot fulfill like (distributing medicines to) remote areas,' Khairul Fahmi, a military expert of the think tank Institute for Security and Strategic Studies told CNA. 'By focusing only on filling the gaps, the military's involvement can strengthen Indonesia's medical sector and not disrupt or be in direct competition with existing pharmaceutical businesses. More importantly, Indonesia can maintain civilian supremacy in the sector.' Health expert Windhu agreed. 'In an emergency where we need to produce huge quantities of medicines in a short amount of time, getting the military involved in pharmaceutical production is justified,' Windhu said.
South China Morning Post
30-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Indonesian military's foray into medicine-making triggers ‘authoritarian past' fears
Indonesia 's military will soon begin producing low-cost medicines to boost rural healthcare access, prompting critics to warn that such a move could lead to its heavy involvement in local governance, just like it did during the country's authoritarian past. Under an agreement signed on July 22 by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), army, navy and air force laboratories that previously produced medicine for service personnel will begin making drugs for distribution to citizens in rural and other areas across Indonesia. Production would begin in October, with the medicines to be sold in villages at half their retail prices, Sjafrie said. 'We are thinking of ways to lower the price even more so we could provide free medicines,' he told reporters. Taruna Ikrar, head of BPOM, said the military's participation could help stem the distribution of illegal or counterfeit drugs, particularly in underserved areas. However, rights groups argue the move is legally questionable, as Indonesia's military law prohibits active-duty soldiers from holding civilian business roles. Critics also see the deal as part of a wider effort to involve the armed forces again in local governance under President Prabowo Subianto , who was formerly a general and the country's defence minister. Azifah Astrina, a lecturer in the politics and government department at Universitas Gadjah Mada, said Indonesians 'have every reason to be deeply concerned' as the agreement was 'not an isolated policy adjustment'.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, & Thailand: May 26, 2025
National flag carrier, Air Cambodia, will complete the delivery of three ATR 72-600 aircraft this year. The first aircraft is scheduled to arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport today. The carrier operates domestic and international flights to China, Thailand and Vietnam. The government initiated a street food hygiene pilot project in Kampong Thom province to raise traders' awareness of food safety. As part of a national campaign, the project aims to promote public health and engage the informal economy. CHINA INK DEALS TO BOOST LOCAL CURRENCY USE AND EXPAND BILATERAL COOPERATION -- JAKARTA GLOBE Indonesia and China on Sunday agreed to promote the use of their respective national currencies in bilateral trade, marking a significant step toward reducing dependency on the US dollar. The agreement was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed by Bank Indonesia and the People's Bank of China during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's official visit to Jakarta. HERBAL DRINK AS NATION'S HEALTH SYMBOL: BPOM -- ANTARA The National Food and Drug Agency (BPOM) emphasised that traditional herbal drink jamu is not merely a legacy of the past but a symbol of Indonesia's future health sector. The agency's Deputy for Traditional Medicines, Health Supplements, and Cosmetics Supervision stated that jamu represents local wisdom supported by strong scientific research and evidence. LAOS PAYMENT WITH VISA SUPPORT -- VIENTIANE TIMES The Agricultural Promotion Bank Co Ltd has partnered with VISA to promote cross-border digital payments. The launch of APB World-Remit with the support of VISA B2B Connect will help Lao businesses link up with international markets. OFFICIALS IRON OUT BILATERAL ISSUES -- VIENTIANE TIMES Traditional partners Laos and Thailand held talks on a wide range of issues from political and security cooperation to trade and investment. Foreign Ministry officials also discussed protecting Lao migrant workers' rights in neighbouring Thailand. MYANMAR KEY TO NATION'S STABILITY AND PROGRESS, SAYS LEADER -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar is a union nation based on genuine multiparty democracy and a federal system. All parties have to unite to promote peace and stability in the country. EDIBLE FROG FARMING -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Rising demand and lucrative prices for edible frogs in the local market are encouraging more farmers to venture into the business. Called the 'Thai frog', it takes about three months to breed the frogs, which feed on bran and floating fish feed. SINGAPORE HAS REACHED 'CONSENSUS' ON TRADE, US TARIFFS AND POWER GRID AHEAD OF SUMMIT: ANWAR -- THE STRAITS TIMES Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is bullish that 'very constructive' outcomes will result from the Asean Summit and related meetings that Malaysia is hosting as regional leaders began meeting on May 23, citing progress on a regional power grid and the Myanmar civil war. TO SIGN IMPROVED CHINA, INTERNAL TRADE DEALS AS BLOC WEIGHS 'BOLDER' MOVES TO TACKLE US TARIFFS -- CNA Easier trade among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as with the regional bloc's top economic partner, China, is on the horizon as the grouping pushes ahead with 'bolder' moves to stave off the threat of steep US tariffs. THAILAND MINISTRY CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL TOURS TO RESTORE TRUST -- THE NATION Natreeya Taweewong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has outlined the government's comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of tourists in Thailand, an issue that remains a top priority. SPENDING TIGHTENS -- BANGKOK POST Quiet tourist attractions with fewer guests and complaints from local merchants about stagnant purchasing power have become more pronounced, as the Thai economy braces for another slump in the second quarter, which is typically a low season for spending. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
CNA
16-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
‘Not guinea pigs': Indonesian officials debunk rumours, defend safety of Bill Gates-backed TB vaccine trial
JAKARTA: The late-stage trial of a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and involving over 2,000 Indonesians is safe and will bring benefits to the country, health officials said in the wake of conspiracy theories surrounding the vaccine. Controversy, including reported rumours and misinformation surrounding the M72/AS01E vaccine candidate, arose after Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's remarks following his meeting with American philanthropist and Gates in Indonesia on May 7. Prabowo said Gates was 'developing a TB vaccine for the world' and that Indonesia would be 'one of the places to test' the vaccine. The president also praised Gates' contributions to the country, noting that his foundation had provided more than US$159 million in grants since 2009, mostly for health programmes. However, in the wake of Prabowo's comments, netizens expressed doubts about Indonesia being the 'testing ground' for the vaccine candidate. They questioned Gates' intention and why it was only being tested in 'poor countries'. Indonesia is the only country outside Africa to take part in the trial. VACCINE CANDIDATE IS SAFE: INDONESIAN AUTHORITIES Participating in the trial means Indonesians will be among the first to receive the TB vaccine, said Taruna Ikrar, head of the country's Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), on Wednesday (May 14), as reported by news agency Antara. Vaccination is one of the most effective strategies to reduce TB prevalence in the country, he said. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the estimated incidence of TB in Indonesia was 387 per 100,000 population in 2023. Indonesia sees over 1 million TB cases a year and was estimated to have the world's second-highest number of TB cases in 2023, after India. It accounted for 10 per cent of an estimated 10.8 million cases globally in 2023, according to the WHO's Global TB Report 2024. Indonesia recorded about 125,000 deaths from TB in 2023, according to Taruna. TB is an airborne infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and primarily affects the lungs. It can cause lung damage or death if untreated. The WHO has called M72 the most advanced TB vaccine candidate in development. Taruna said the vaccine to be trialled is safe, having undergone pre-clinical testing, toxicity studies and safety trials in line with international standards. 'Based on scientific evaluations, we have authorised the clinical trials of the TB vaccine in Indonesia,' he told Antara. 'There is no issue here. The TB vaccine will bring many benefits.' Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin also assured the vaccine is safe. 'This is to educate the public, as well, that we are not guinea pigs,' he reportedly said on May 9. Rumours about the vaccine were 'intentionally spread so that people do not want to be vaccinated. In fact, the consequences can be very fatal, 100,000 people could die because of something like this,' Budi said on May 9. On Wednesday, Budi said the trial will help determine the vaccine's compatibility with Indonesia's population, as vaccine effectiveness can depend on genetic factors, reported news outlet Tempo. He said the trial involves scientists at Padjadjaran University and the University of Indonesia. If successful, Indonesia could eventually serve as a manufacturing site for the vaccine, he said. INDONESIA INVOLVED IN TB VACCINE TRIAL SINCE 2024 The M72 is developed by pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with AERAS, a United States-based not-for-profit funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other organisations. Indonesia's involvement in the late-stage trial has been known since last year. New vaccines are urgently needed to tackle TB in Indonesia and globally, the WHO said in a news release in November 2024 when it convened the first national consultation on new TB vaccines together with Indonesia's Ministry of Health in Bali. The last TB vaccine was approved over 100 years ago. If M72's efficacy is confirmed in the late-stage trial, it could lead to the introduction of a new TB vaccine for adults and adolescents by 2030, said the WHO. The Phase 3 trial involves 20,000 participants from five countries. Besides the 2,095 people from Indonesia, the rest are from South Africa, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. Africa had the second-highest number of TB cases in 2023 after Southeast Asia, according to the Global TB Report 2024. The earlier Phase 2b of the trial involved more than 3,500 people in South Africa, Zambia and Kenya, and results were 'cautiously encouraging', reported an article on May 13 by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a global health partnership. 'In these adults, who were already thought to have been infected with the bacterium (TB bacteria can remain dormant for many years), the vaccine halved the risk of developing active TB over the next three years compared to a placebo, with an estimated efficacy of 50 per cent,' it reported. The rumours circulating in Indonesia about M72 is not the first time that conspiracy theories related to public health and Gates have arisen in Indonesia. In 2023, misinformation about Wolbachia mosquitoes stoked protests and delayed the rollout of a project in Bali that involved their release to fight dengue. The project involved the World Mosquito Programme, which is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
