VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs appreciates the support of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) for the export of crystal salt, so that the innovation of crystal salt can be exported abroad and distributed easily. On last Wednesday (Feb 13) BPOM issued a letter which can facilitate the issuance of Export Certificate for edible or table salt products. In addition to issuing the letter, BPOM also provided Export Consultation Desk.  Therefore, Indonesia’s salt products do not have to get marketing authorization in accordance with the Indonesia’s regulation yet the products must comply with the regulations of  the importing countries. Food standards like Iodine Fortification is not necessary as long as the importing countries do not require it. Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs hopes through the issuance of the certificate by BPOM, salt farmers and salt producers will not face difficulty in registering their products, receiving marketing authorization, and exporting their salt products abroad. It was said by Deputy of Natural Resources and Services at the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Ministry, Agung Kuswandono in his press release received in Jakarta on Sunday (Feb 17). Agung Kuswandono appreciates the support for all the innovative processed salt products in a bid to improve the prosperity of Indonesia’s salt farmers because the marketing of local salt products has always been hampered due to the iodine fortification standard as stated in the Presidential Decree No. 69 1994 on the procurement of Iodine salt. With the regulation, local salt products which do not undergo iodine fortification cannot be distributed as edible salt or known as table salt.  The table salt can actually be processed into crystal salt. The table salt can be blended with spices such as onion and pepper to become spiced salt, even it can also be processed into spa salt. The crystal salt is highly demanded by many countries and exported to be used as a seasoning for gourmet or fine cuisines which need pure salt without fortification. Meanwhile, spiced salt has become a favorite in domestic market particularly for food community. Agung Kuswandono also said, the innovation can provide additional value which can support the economy of salt farmers and suppliers. Through the support of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), the crystal salt which has been processed for example to be the spiced salt, can be registered to BPOM with other food name. It also applies for other kinds of processed crystal salt products which aim to fulfill the nutrient requirements of people with disorders for example people who have autism. Meanwhile non-edible salt products for example spa salt must be registered as a cosmetic product.