Government Denies All US Products Exempt from Halal Certification

The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs has affirmed that the exemption from halal labelling and certification requirements does not apply to all United States products. Spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Haryo Limanseto, said halal certification remains mandatory for food and beverage products.

“Food and beverages containing non-halal content must be labelled as non-halal,” Haryo said in a written statement on Sunday, 22 February 2026. He explained that halal labelling is carried out to protect domestic consumers.

Indonesia and the United States officially signed a reciprocal trade agreement in Washington D.C. on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

One of the agreements concerns the exemption of halal certification for a number of US products entering Indonesia, such as cosmetics, medical devices, and manufactured goods. On the other hand, Indonesia will permit halal certification bodies in the US recognised by the national halal authority to certify imported products without additional requirements.

Haryo Limanseto said US-origin cosmetics, medical devices, and other manufactured products will still be required to comply with product safety quality standards, good manufacturing practices, and detailed product content information. According to him, this is to ensure consumers in Indonesia are fully informed about the products they use.

Haryo added that Indonesia and the US also have a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with overseas halal bodies in the United States. He said this cooperation enables halal labels issued in the US to be recognised as valid in Indonesia.

“This is needed in line with the increasing demand in the Indonesian market for high-quality halal products, particularly meat products and other consumer goods from the US,” Haryo said.