," Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) released Circular Letter No. 7/2025 clarifying strict rules on the use of the term “milk” on processed food product names and labels. The circular aims to prevent consumer misunderstanding and ensure consistency with food category definitions under Indonesian law.
BPOM reaffirms that the term “milk” is legally restricted to liquid secretions originating from dairy-producing animals such as cows, buffalo, horses, goats, and sheep. Only two non-animal exceptions may use “milk”—coconut milk and specific soybean-based beverages, including soy milk, fermented soy milk, soy milk powder beverage, soy milk concentrate, and soy milk drinks. These soy-based products must meet defined quality and ingredient standards, using only soybeans, soy extracts, or soy protein-based ingredients.
The regulation explicitly prohibits the use of “milk” for plant-based beverages made from oats, almonds, rice, nuts (other than soy), grains, legumes, or any other non-dairy, non-soy plant sources. Labels using the term must present “milk” adjacent to the Indonesian name (e.g., “Minuman Sari Kedelai (Soy Milk)”) and cannot highlight the English term with oversized fonts, bolding, or contrasting colours.
Producers and importers applying for new or pending registrations must immediately comply, while existing products with circulation permits (PB-UMKU) are required to update names and labels within 18 months. Non-compliant products may face administrative sanctions, including revocation of distribution permits.
The circular is issued under Indonesia’s food labelling and registration framework to ensure clear consumer information and uniform interpretation of the term “milk” in the marketplace."
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