Regulation and Definition of Food Categories
📌 Food categories are regulated by BPOM Regulation Number 13 of 2023 and related decisions regarding changes to categories and raw materials.
🎯 Food category is defined as the grouping of food based on raw materials, processing methods, and/or intended use.
📑 Determining the correct food category is mandatory for anyone producing or importing packaged processed food for retail trade, serving as the basis for setting safety, quality, nutrition, and labeling standards.

Overview of 16 Food Categories
🔢 There are 16 main food category codes used to group processed foods, ranging from Category 01 (Milk Products) to Category 16 (Packaged Ready-to-Eat Food).
🥛 Category 01 (Milk Products) includes liquid milk and all derived products, like flavored milk powder.
🍄 Category 04 (Fruits and Vegetables) covers processed items including mushrooms, tubers, nuts, seaweed, and seeds (e.g., candied fruit, spinach chips).
🍫 Category 05 (Confectionery/Candy and Chocolate) includes all cocoa/chocolate products and confectionery containing sugar and/or other sweeteners (e.g., hard candy).
🍜 Category 12 (Salt, Spices, Soups, Sauces, Salads, and Protein Products) includes additives used to enhance aroma and flavor (e.g., chili sauce).

Process for Determining the Correct Food Category
📝 To determine the category, one must prepare the food category regulation and product data, including composition, production process, characteristics, and intended use.
📊 Start by examining the composition, focusing on the most abundant component that defines the product's identity (e.g., high kiwi content suggests Category 04).
🔬 Analyze the production process (e.g., soaking in sugar solution followed by oven drying) and compare the findings against the specific definitions of potential subcategories.
💡 For the example product (kiwi treated with sugar solution and dried), Category 04127 (Sugared and Coated Fruits) was deemed the most suitable match due to the process involving soaking in a sugar solution.

Handling Unregulated or Novel Food Products
📄 If a processed food type or processing method is not regulated or differs from existing provisions, its establishment requires written approval from BPOM.
💻 Producers can first check the results of previously assessed food categories on the standarpangan.pom.go.id subsite.
✉️ If no prior assessment exists, an assessment request must be submitted via standardisasi.pom.go.id, completing all necessary data as outlined in the Food Category Assessment Guidelines.

Key Points & Insights
➡️ Mandatory Compliance: Every packaged processed food must comply with established food categories to meet required safety, quality, and labeling standards.
➡️ Distinguishing Similar Products: Be aware of subtle differences in classification; for example, plain crackers are Category 7 (Bakery), while savory snack crackers fall under Category 15 (Ready-to-Eat Snacks).
➡️ Shrimp Cracker Classification: Raw shrimp crackers are Category 925 (Fish and Fishery Products), but ready-to-eat shrimp crackers are Category 15.3 (Fish-based Snacks).
➡️ Seeking Guidance: Always cross-reference product data against the official regulations, and utilize the BPOM standard food website for existing approvals or to initiate an assessment request for novel products.

📸 Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Dec 10, 2025, 04:18 UTC