Trade Minister Says Nestle Products in Indonesia Have Distribution Licenses

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Trade Ministry ensured that the food and beverage products of Nestle circulating in the archipelago have met the standards of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM). The ministry also confirmed that the products had obtained distribution licenses for public consumption.

The ministry’s statement was issued after Nestle's internal documents were leaked to the public. As quoted from The Financial Times, the world’s largest food company acknowledged that more than 60 percent of its food and beverage products did not meet a "recognized definition of health".

“As we monitored, Nestle products circulating in Indonesia have met the standards because all of the products have been confirmed to have passed the test and earned the distribution permits by BPOM,” said the Director-General of Domestic Trade Oke Nurwan on Monday, June 7.

A presentation circulated among top executives of Nestle as seen by the The Financial Times said that only 37 percent of its food and beverages achieved a rating above 3.5 out of five under Australia’s health star rating system. Meanwhile, within its overall food and drink portfolio, 63 percent failed to meet that threshold.

In response to the report, Oke said the standards of the products were the responsibility of Nestle and the Australian authorities. Oke opined that the standards applied had been adapted to the needs and conditions in the country.

“As far as I know, BPOM implements international standards, so until now, there have been no products that do not meet the standards applied by BPOM in Indonesia. Perhaps, this requires confirmation from the BPOM,” Oke added.

The Trade Ministry official also said the supervision by the ministry referred to the distribution permits issued by BPOM, rather than the application of standards imposed in other countries.

Read: Nestle Indonesia Comments on Viral Video of Fake Milo Production

BISNIS.COM