BPOM Sees Strong Potential in Indonesia’s Probiotic Sector

RRI.CO.ID, Sukabumi – The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) is encouraging PT Yakult Indonesia Persada to expand its market reach in Indonesia due to the significant growth potential of the national probiotic industry. Strengthening food safety and quality standards alongside government collaboration is considered crucial to supporting this market expansion.

BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar noted that PT Yakult Indonesia Persada’s current market penetration in Indonesia stands is only around 3 percent, leaving substantial room for probiotic product growth in the domestic market.

“PT Yakult Indonesia Persada’s market expansion in Indonesia is currently at 3 percent. This is an opportunity that needs to be further developed. How can we increase it? One way is through the ABG concept,” said Taruna during a visit to PT Yakult Indonesia Persada on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, as quoted on BPOM’s official website.

Taruna stated that collaboration among Academia, Business, and Government (ABG) could serve as a strategy to drive growth in the food industry, including the probiotic sector. Through such collaboration, the industry can commercialize research-based product development, delivering broader benefits to the public.

Market potential is a key reason behind BPOM’s push to develop the probiotic industry in Indonesia. The global probiotic market is projected to reach USD 139.11 billion by 2031. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s probiotic market is expected to grow from USD 1.88 billion in 2025 to USD 4.68 billion in 2033.

According to Taruna, the industry must maintain consistent product safety and quality to realize this immense potential. Consequently, his visit to PT Yakult Indonesia Persada was part of BPOM’s monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of food safety systems within industrial facilities.

“My presence here is part of industry oversight, conducted through monitoring, controlling, and evaluating processes, to ensure that the company’s overall food safety management is functioning effectively,” Taruna said.

During the visit, the BPOM commended PT Yakult Indonesia Persada for its commitment to implementing food safety and quality standards. The company not only met the requirements for the Good Processed Food Manufacturing Practices (CPPOB) Implementation Permit but also voluntarily adopted higher food safety and quality assurance standards through its Risk Management Program (PMR).

PT Yakult Indonesia Persada successfully obtained the Proactive Risk Management Program Implementation Permit. Taruna Ikrar presented the certificate to Yoshiharu Suzuki, the factory director of PT Yakult Indonesia Persada.

President director of PT Yakult Indonesia Persada, Toshiyuki Iwamoto, stated that the certification is a significant achievement that proves the company's commitment to maintaining product safety.

“We will continue to strive for even higher standards of food safety and quality,” Toshiyuki said.

Strengthening food safety is also part of the company's efforts to build public trust alongside its market expansion plans. The company envisions its production facilities serving as educational hubs for probiotics and food safety, in addition to manufacturing sites.

These efforts are embodied in the Shirota Room and the Probiotic Room, which were both inaugurated by Taruna Ikrar during his visit. These spaces are designed to educate stakeholders and visitors to PT Yakult Indonesia Persada’s facilities.

The company also leverages its "Yakult Lady" network to promote public education. There are more than 1,200 Yakult Ladies operating across Indonesia who play a key role in providing food safety literacy, including teaching the "Cek KLIK" principle, which stands for checking packaging, labels, distribution permits, and expiration dates.

46 Food Safety Cadres have completed outreach training provided by BPOM. They're now part of BPOM's network of 2,592 Food Safety Cadres. "We aim to combine BPOM's expertise in food safety science and the role of the 'Yakult Lady' to convey educational messages to the public," said Toshiyuki.

During the event, BPOM presented Food Safety Cadre Certificates to the 46 cadre representatives. Meanwhile, PT Yakult Indonesia Persada awarded Food Safety Ambassador Certificates to six Yakult Lady representatives who completed the “Cek KLIK” training program.

The visit continued with a tour of PT Yakult Indonesia Persada's production facilities and Exhibition Hall. The event concluded with a tree-planting ceremony on the company grounds, which was held simultaneously with a similar activity at the production facility in Mojokerto. ***