By Adil Al Hasan
Copyright tempo
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – PT Nestle Indonesia and the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) have signed a memorandum of understanding to address child nutrition challenges through a stunting prevention program and economic inclusivity by accelerating halal certification for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on Friday, October 3, 2025.Head of BPJPH Ahmad Haikal Hasan stated that this agreement is part of Nestle Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen its products in Indonesia. “Nestle has excellent products; they are strengthening their halal food and beverage network,” he said after the signing ceremony in Jakarta.Also present at the event were the Vice President of Switzerland, who also serves as a Federal Council Member, as well as the Head of the Department of Economy, Education, and Research, H.E. Guy Parmelin, and the Expert Staff in Productivity and Economic Competitiveness Development at the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Evita Manthovani. Haikal stated that BPJPH encourages all companies distributing products in Indonesia to have halal certification. “We offer it to all companies,” he said.On the other hand, Haikal mentioned that BPJPH aims for all food and beverage products to have halal certification. He said Warung Tegal (a food stall that specifically serves Javanese foods) or Betawi, Padang Cuisine, imported goods, and all types of consumer goods will be the target for BPJHP to obtain halal certification. “It’s mandatory to be halal by October 2026,” he stated.Meanwhile, the President Director of Nestle Indonesia, Georgios Badaro, stated that their company will accelerate halal certification for 5,000 MSMEs. Nestle Indonesia will accompany and fulfill the technical requirements, as well as develop MSMEs, to ensure the success of this program. “This initiative is Nestle Indonesia’s contribution in supporting BPJPH’s plan to increase the number of halal-certified business actors in Indonesia,” he said.Previously, BPJPH had opened opportunities for one million MSMEs to obtain Free Halal Certification (SEHATI) this year. As part of the government’s support for MSMEs, this program provides one million free halal certificates through the self-declaration mechanism.Haikal explained that the SEHATI program brings several benefits to MSMEs. He said the certification process has become easier due to the assistance of 115,450 Halal Product Process Assistance (P3H) individuals currently spread across Indonesia.Deputy of Halal Registration and Certification at BPJPH, Mamat Salamet Burhanuddin, added that the quota for one million free halal certifications will be opened gradually. “Previously, we opened a quota of 50,000 certificates on March 19, 2025; today or on April 11, 2025, we are opening a quota of 470,000 halal certificates, and the remaining quota will be opened and announced later,” said Mamat.Editor’s Choice: TikTok Responds to Temporary Suspension by Indonesian GovtClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
