A comprehensive law concerning food was signed into force in 1996 that controls domestic production, imports, processing and distribution of food but regulations needed to implement the law were issued slowly. The Food Act (1996) comprehensively covers legislative regulations related to food, reviewing those already in existence as well as creating new ones.

Many of Indonesia's regulations related to marketing of food are unclear and confusing and therefore either not enforced at all, or are only enforced inconsistently. While a review of regulations is important, the reality of what actually occurs in practice may be quite different.

The most difficult problem for exporters shipping high valued products may be the requirement that all imported products be registered with the National Agency for Drug & Food Control (BPOM) to obtain food registration (ML) number. This can be a long and onerous process. In addition, some products require additional approval from BPOM and animal-based food requires an import permit from the Director General of Livestock in the Ministry of Agriculture.