Indonesia Cracks Down on Non-Halal Confectionery, Expands Certification Support

Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) has withdrawn nine confectionery products from the market after DNA tests confirmed pork contamination, including seven items falsely labeled as halal, Food Navigator Asia reported.

The affected products—mostly imported jellies and marshmallows from China (6) and the Philippines (2), plus one local gelatin product—were discovered during joint inspections with the Food and Drug Agency (BPOM).

BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan warned of strict sanctions, emphasizing that halal certification is “a matter of faith, not just labels.” The agency urged public vigilance via social media, providing a portal for reporting violations.

Concurrently, BPJPH is accelerating its SEHATI program, offering 1 million free halal certificates to micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) in 2025. Over 520,000 certificates were distributed in March-April, with the remainder slated for later this year. The initiative aims to bolster Indonesia’s ambition as the global halal hub while supporting local businesses’ competitiveness.