In light of the ongoing humanitarian conflict affecting the civil population of Palestine, Danone Indonesia expresses deep condolences for the prolonged tragedy. In alignment with the stance and commitment of the Indonesian government, Danone opposes all forms of aggression, including Israel’s aggression in Palestine, and supports the Indonesian government’s consistent efforts to advocate for victims.
Danone began its business in Indonesia in 1998 by signing a strategic alliance with a company that owns the AQUA brand – a bottled water brand launched in 1973. This partnership strengthened AQUA’s market position and made it the largest mineral water producer in Indonesia. In addition to the bottled water business, Danone in Indonesia also has a specialized nutrition business known as Danone Specialized Nutrition, which includes products such as SGM Eksplor, SGM Bunda, Bebelac, Nutrilon Royal, and medical nutrition. SGM has been part of Danone since 2007 when Danone acquired PT Sarihusada. Currently, Danone has 24 factories spread across Indonesia and is supported by approximately 11,500 employees.
Outside Indonesia, Danone has operations in about 50 countries and sells food and water in over 120 countries, notably through regional distributors, including many in the Middle East. However, Danone global does not have any offices or factories in Israel and does not support any form of aggression. In that respect, we want also to remind that Danone has no relationship or affiliation with the Israeli government. Danone, as the owner of various brands in Indonesia, is not included in the list of companies considered to support the Israeli occupation according to data released by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Danone regrets any misinformation suggesting otherwise and emphasizes that such disinformation is not aligned with our values.
As a tangible demonstration of our humanitarian support, Danone in Indonesia has actively provided humanitarian aid through collaborations with various parties, such as the Palestinian Embassy, LAZISNU, LazisMU, Baznas, and the Indonesian Navy, to help alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. Even at the end of Ramadan 2025, Danone, in collaboration with the Pengurus Cabang Istimewa Nahdlatul Ulama (PCINU) in Jordan, continues to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees in several camps on the Jordan-Palestine border, as a show of solidarity with those directly affected by the conflict.
We are committed to continuing our presence in every important moment of Indonesian families through healthy and quality drinking water and nutrition products, while also bringing positive impacts and benefits to society, the environment, and humanity. Danone’s global commitment to human rights is reflected in our comprehensive Human Rights Policy, which focuses on defending human dignity, our actions and policies consistently prioritize the protection of human rights.
Questions & Answers
Q: Is it true that Danone products have affiliations with Israel?
A: We want to emphasize that Danone has no relationship or affiliation with the Israeli government. Danone, as the owner of the AQUA and SGM brands, is not included in the list of companies considered to support the Israeli occupation according to data released by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). We support the Indonesian government’s stance on the Palestine conflict and are dedicated to humanitarian efforts to help those affected by the conflict. Our initiatives include collaborating with various organizations to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. Danone’s brands in Indonesia, such as AQUA and SGM, were born and raised in Indonesia and have been part of this nation for over 50 years for AQUA and 70 years for SGM. Danone products in Indonesia are produced in 24 factories spread across Indonesia and are supported by approximately 11,500 Indonesian employees working for the company.
Q: Danone Indonesia is part of Danone global, does Danone have any affiliations with Israel?
A: Danone is committed to advancing sustainable food innovation and exploring new technologies to improve our products. As a multinational company, Danone forms partnerships and collaborations in the dairy and food technology sectors in various countries. Danone operates as a global company with a presence in over 120 countries, including many in the Middle East. This includes business collaborations with Israeli startups in the dairy and food technology sectors. These collaborations focus on advancing sustainable food innovation, such as animal-free dairy alternatives and precision fermentation technology, and have no affiliation with the Israeli military or the ongoing conflict in Palestine. Similar to Danone Indonesia’s stance, Danone global does not support any form of aggression. Danone global does not have any offices or factories in Israel.
Q: Does Danone also operate in the Middle East and other Islamic countries?
A: Danone is a public company that sells the products in 120 countries, including Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Jordan, Tunisia, and others. In the Middle East, Danone operates through collaborations with local companies like AlSafi. AlSafi has been established since 1979 and currently produces a variety of dairy-based products under brands like AlSafi, Actimel, Danette, Activia, Safio, Alpro, and ready-to-drink fruit juice products under the Danone brand, distributed in 17 countries in the Middle East. Our operations in the Middle East are conducted through 2 processing plants with 46,000 cows and 2,643 employees of 102 nationalities.
Q: Is it true that Danone’s profits are used to support Israel?
A: We can confirm that this is not true and is a misinformation. We have no affiliation with the Israeli government and military, and no funding is used to finance the ongoing conflict in Palestine. All our company operations are conducted in Indonesia and for the Indonesian people. We are committed to continuing our presence in every important moment of Indonesian families through healthy and quality drinking water, while also bringing positive impacts to society and the environment.
Q: What does Danone do to support our Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine?
A: As part of Danone’s commitment to opposing all forms of aggression, including Israel’s aggression in Palestine, and supporting the Indonesian government’s efforts to advocate for Palestine’s independence, Danone continues to carry out various initiatives and send humanitarian aid in collaboration with various partners and Muslim organizations, including:
- Danone Indonesia, together with Muslim Employees of Danone Indonesia (KARISMA), has distributed humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza totaling 630 million rupiah through the Palestinian Embassy.
- NU Care-Lembaga Amil Zakat Infaq dan Shadaqah Nahdlatul Ulama (LAZISNU) received humanitarian donations divided into two phases, including the provision of 30,000 AQUA mineral water products through the Indonesian Navy and LAZISNU.
- Collaborating with various partners in West Sumatra, Danone provided material support through the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS).
- Distributed aid amounting to Rp250 million through the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH).
- Supported as the main sponsor of the 13th Ramadan Jazz Festival, where the proceeds were distributed as humanitarian aid for Palestine.
- Collaborated with various retailers to collect donations from the sale of AQUA products, which were also distributed as humanitarian aid in Palestine.
- The Pengurus Cabang Istimewa Nahdlatul Ulama (PCINU) in Jordan, in collaboration with Danone, has distributed humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees in several camps on the Jordan-Palestine border.