The Cabinet Secretary, Teddy Indra Wijaya, has emphasized that information claiming United States products can enter Indonesia without halal certification is incorrect. The statement was delivered in his written release on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

“Some have said that U.S. products can enter Indonesia without halal certification? Let me put it briefly: that is not true,” the Cabinet Secretary wrote.

The government has ensured that all products required to be halal-certified must continue to comply with prevailing Indonesian laws and regulations.

“Products that are subject to mandatory halal certification must carry a halal label, whether issued by a halal certification body in the United States or by a halal authority in Indonesia,” he explained.

The Cabinet Secretary further noted that in the United States, recognized halal certification bodies include Halal Transactions of Omaha (HTO) and the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA). In Indonesia, halal certification is administered by the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH).

In addition, cosmetic products and medical devices are still required to obtain distribution permits from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) before they can be marketed in Indonesia.

The Cabinet Secretary also underscored that Indonesian and U.S. halal authorities have established a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), an international agreement on the equivalency of halal certification within the framework of global cooperation. Under this MRA, certification recognition is conducted in a standardized manner and remains subject to national regulatory frameworks.

The government reaffirmed that Indonesia–U.S. trade policies do not eliminate the obligation to comply with national standards, including halal requirements and consumer protection provisions.

The public is urged not to be influenced by inaccurate information and to ensure that any information is obtained from official sources.