Indonesia tightens oversight of laughing gas after influencer misuse

  Indonesia's Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) is intensifying oversight of nitrous oxide (N₂O), commonly known as laughing gas, following the illegal distribution and misuse of Whip Pink products by several social media influencers.

"BPOM regrets that some influencers are still promoting or engaging in such practices," BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He urged the public to report any suspected cases, noting that the agency is coordinating with other authorities to address the issue.

When used properly, N2O has legitimate applications in the medical, food, and automotive sectors. Under the Codex food additive standard and BPOM Regulation No. 11/2019, it is classified as a propellant, commonly used to create whipped cream foam.

However, Taruna clarified that while N2O is used across various sectors, BPOM's specific authority covers its application as a food additive and as a pharmaceutical medical gas.

To strengthen controls, BPOM issued Circular Letter No. 2/2026 on February 27, 2026, regulating the production, importation, registration, and distribution of nitrous oxide as a food additive.

Furthermore, under Health Law No. 17/2023 and Government Regulation No. 28/2024, BPOM's mandate will expand. Full post-market surveillance authority is set to fall under the agency starting July 1, 2026.

Taruna emphasized that BPOM aims to fully exercise its new authority, noting that the agency already oversees products such as tobacco by enforcing health warnings and standards. It can also conduct inspections, testing, and product recalls when health risks are identified.

"If violations are found, BPOM can take action, including withdrawing products from circulation," Taruna said, adding that the agency has already conducted enforcement operations at several locations.

He assured that BPOM continues to cooperate with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the National Police, leveraging its own civil servant investigators (PPNS) and enforcement directorate to crack down on distribution loopholes.