Did you know that every food product sold in Indonesia is required to have a BPOM Distribution Permit Number or PB‑UMKU? This number indicates that the product has passed safety and quality standards before reaching your hands. Usually, this distribution permit number is listed on the label along with the address of one of the factories.
If a product is produced in several different factories but still within the same company entity, BPOM has a special regulation called a single MD or Single Distribution Permit Number. Let's read this article to understand more about BPOM's single MD regulation!
What Is a Single MD?
A Single MD is a single BPOM distribution permit number used for one food product produced across multiple facilities, as long as all those facilities belong to the same corporate entity and apply identical standards of quality, processes, and product specifications.
With a Single MD, you no longer need to worry as a consumer, because the product is officially registered, safe, and suitable for consumption. This number can only be applied if the products share the same:
- Product name.
- Trade name.
- Company name.
- Composition.
- Raw material specifications.
- Type of packaging and net weight/content.
- Production process.
- Labels including safety information, quality, and halal information.
Basis of Single MD Regulations
BPOM regulates the use of a single MD through the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency Regulation Number 23 of 2023 Article 32 concerning Processed Food Registration, “Companies that have multiple production facilities in different regions of Indonesia, but are under the same corporate entity, and apply uniform production standards and product specifications, may be granted a Business Licensing Number to Support Business Activities (PB UMKU) or the same distribution permit code.”
In essence, companies with multiple different factories that are still one entity and have uniform production standards can use a single distribution permit number for the same product.
Furthermore, if you want to verify the origin of a product, differences in production locations are indicated through the production code, which includes an additional three-digit city code in accordance with SNI standards. This allows the product’s origin to be identified without requiring separate MD numbers.
Benefits of Single MD
The single MD regulation from BPOM aims to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of domestic food production while also facilitating BPOM supervision and food label control. In addition to making it easier for companies, this system also provides several benefits for consumers, including:
- Ensuring consistent product quality across all production facilities
- Reducing duplication of administrative processes without compromising safety
- Maintaining product safety and quality standards
How to Check Distribution Permit Number
Products that already have a BPOM distribution permit usually come with an official barcode on the packaging, as is the case with all AQUA products. Consumers can scan it via the BPOM Mobile application to check the authenticity of the registration number or BPOM distribution permit number and obtain complete information about product safety.
This procedure is a form of producer transparency to ensure that consumers can access detailed information and directly assess the safety of the products they consume. So, you do not need to doubt the distribution permit number on each AQUA product label.
Facts About Single MD and AQUA
To be clearer, here are some important things you need to know about how the single MD system works for AQUA products and what it means for everyday consumers:
Single MD does not mean it is produced in only one factory.
The single distribution permit number only indicates one code, but the product can still be produced in several factories under the same corporate entity that has been approved by BPOM.
AQUA maintains consistent quality across all factories.
All factories implement identical quality, process, and specification standards so that the quality of AQUA products remains consistent.
Only one factory address is listed on the label.
Regulations require listing one address, but the product can come from other facilities that meet single MD standards.
The Single MD system ensures safety.
All production facilities are verified by BPOM, so product quality and safety are always maintained.
Reasons AQUA uses a single MD.
The aim is to maintain national quality consistency, simplify registration, supervision, and transparency to consumers.
Is there any possibility of taste differences?
Each natural mineral water source can provide a slight natural character, but quality and safety are always consistent because all factories follow the same production process.
With the single MD system, you can now be more confident in choosing AQUA products. This single distribution permit number ensures that the quality, safety, and consistency of products from all AQUA factories are maintained. So, every AQUA product you drink is not only refreshing but has also gone through a strictly controlled process under BPOM supervision.
Come on, be more confident when choosing food products. Don’t forget, if you are curious, simply scan the AQUA barcode with the BPOM Mobile app to verify its authenticity and get complete information.
