Indonesia Requires Labeling for Food Products with at Least 5% Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Following the issuance of the Indonesian Food and Drug Agency (BPOM) Regulation No. 19/2024, Indonesia has updated its regulations on genetically engineered processed products. Signed on November 18, 2024, the regulation is an update to BPOM Regulation No. 6/2018.

The new regulation covers genome-edited products, labeling requirements for food products with genetically engineered ingredients, and guidelines for the food safety approval process for genetically engineered food products and products with stacked genes. The regulation also indicates guidelines for refined food products derived from engineered microorganisms, such as enzymes, amino acids, and preservatives.

One of the key updates is the mandatory labeling of packaged food products containing at least 5% genetically engineered DNA. Although the regulation is already in effect, a 12-month grace period was given to companies to comply with the labeling requirements if the product was already on the market before its enactment. As of January this year, no processed food products with 5% engineered materials have been registered in Indonesia, and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Jakarta is not aware of any product required for labeling under the new regulation.

For more information, read the report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Services.