Indonesia’s Probiotic Breakthrough: New Regulatory Win Paves Way for “Live Culture” Functional Foods

JAKARTA, Indonesia (JakartaWeekly.com) – Indonesia’s food and beverage sector is set for a functional boost following the regulatory approval of Kerry’s BC30 probiotic, a move that allows manufacturers to officially utilize “Live Culture” claims on product packaging across the archipelago.

The decision, handed down by the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), follows the inclusion of the specific strain—Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086—into the country’s permitted microorganism list under regulation PERBPOM No. 38/2023.

Regulatory Clarity for Manufacturers

The approval provides a clear framework for companies looking to tap into Indonesia’s growing wellness market. Under the new guidelines, products containing the resilient, spore-forming probiotic can communicate its presence in marketing materials, provided they adhere to strict transparency requirements.

To qualify for the “Live Culture” claim, manufacturers must:

• Disclose the full genus, species, and strain name in the ingredient statement.
• Ensure the finished product delivers a minimum concentration of $1 \times 10^6$ CFU (colony-forming units) per gram or milliliter at the end of its shelf life.
• Provide clear storage instructions on all finished goods to maintain the integrity of the culture.

While the approval covers a broad range of general food categories, BPOM has excluded “Category 13.0 – Special Nutrition Products,” which remains under a separate regulatory framework.

Addressing the “Gut Health” Trend

The move comes as consumer behavior in Southeast Asia shifts toward proactive health management. Internal research from Kerry indicates that 76% of global consumers now link gut health to overall wellbeing, with digestive support emerging as the top functional need in the region.

Unlike many traditional probiotics that struggle with temperature sensitivity, the BC30 strain is designed to remain viable through the rigors of large-scale manufacturing and storage. This stability is intended to ensure that the live cultures actually reach the consumer’s digestive system.

“This approval represents an important step forward for manufacturers looking to develop credible, compliant functional foods in Indonesia,” said Olivier De Salmiech, Vice President of Health & Therapies at Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

Salmiech noted that the ability to use the “Live Culture” claim offers new avenues for brands to meet consumer interest in digestive health without compromising the formulation stability required for diverse food and beverage applications.

Strategic Market Impact

As Indonesia continues to refine its food safety and labeling standards, the inclusion of science-backed ingredients like BC30 suggests a maturing market for functional nutrition. For Kerry, the approval underscores a strategy of tailoring global ingredients to meet localized regulatory and consumer demands.

The integration of such ingredients is expected to diversify the Indonesian retail landscape, moving functional benefits from niche health supplements into everyday consumer goods.