Ministry of UMKM and BPOM Accelerate Distribution Permits for Processed Food MSEs

The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM) and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) are accelerating access to licensing and certification for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the processed food sector through the SAPA SEMESTA UMK Pangan Olahan programme. The programme was launched by UMKM Minister Maman Abdurrahman together with BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar at the BPOM office in Jakarta on Monday, as an effort to strengthen the competitiveness and expand market access for MSE products that are safe, of high quality, and meet standards. “Following up on the President’s directive to optimally serve and encourage the growth of UMKM across the country, we are collaborating to provide ease of licensing facilities and BPOM certification for processed food MSEs,” Maman said, as quoted from a ministry press release. Maman stated that accelerating licensing is part of the government’s effort to provide protection to the public while simultaneously enhancing the competitiveness of UMKM players. This potential, according to Maman, needs to be supported through legal ease so that UMKM products gain greater public trust and are able to compete in a wider market. Meanwhile, BPOM data shows there are approximately 4.2 million MSEs in the processed food sector. However, only around 1.6 million business actors have obtained BPOM certification. This condition, according to Maman, indicates there is still significant room to expand legal access for processed food MSE players.