Government Affirms U.S. Products Must Still Comply With Halal Certification

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya emphasized that rumors about products from the United States can enter Indonesia without halal certification are not true.

“Some say that U.S. products can enter Indonesia without halal certification? In short: that is not true,” Teddy said in a written statement on Sunday, 22 February 2026.

Teddy explained that the government ensures all products required to be halal-certified must comply with the prevailing laws and regulations in Indonesia. Products subject to halal certification must display a halal label, whether issued by halal bodies in the United States or in Indonesia.

In the United States, recognized halal certification bodies include Halal Transactions of Omaha (HTO) and the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA). In Indonesia, halal certification is administered by the Halal Product Assurance Agency.

In addition, cosmetic products and medical devices must still obtain distribution permits from the Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan before being marketed domestically.

Teddy also noted that halal authorities in Indonesia and the United States have established a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), allowing certification to be recognized in a standardized manner while remaining within the framework of national regulations.

The government stressed that Indonesia–U.S. trade cooperation does not eliminate the obligation to meet national standards, including halal requirements and consumer protection, and urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information.