Government to Apply Nutri-Level Labeling to Beverages in the Initial Phase

JAKARTA (ANTARA) – The National Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has confirmed that Nutri-level labeling will first be applied to beverage products in the initial phase, before gradually expanding to other product categories.

“Based on public-testing data and our observations, most excess sugar and fat intake comes from sugary drinks,” BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar said on Tuesday.

Ikrar noted that, because of the large number of food businesses in Indonesia — around 1.7 million — the policy will be rolled out in phases.

During the grace period, the agency will also promote the policy by offering a “healthy food” label as a reward for compliant businesses, which will attract more consumers to buy their products.

He added that other incentives for compliant businesses include a faster licensing-approval process.

Ikrar added that the Nutri-level labeling policy is based on Health Law No. 17 of 2023, and is intended to protect people from deadly non-communicable diseases such as stroke, heart disease and kidney disease through public education.

“If sugar, salt and fat intake is kept within the recommended range, these diseases can be prevented. Prevention is better than cure,” he said.

He further explained that 73% of deaths in Indonesia are caused by non-communicable diseases, compared with a global average of 70%.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin also said that, at present, Nutri-level labeling is more educational than mandatory. He said there is a one-to-two-year grace period.

The Ministry of Health and BPOM will supervise implementation according to their respective authorities, with Sadikin's ministry responsible for overseeing compliance at major restaurants and large restaurant chains.

The Nutri-level labeling system consists of four categories: a dark-green A for appropriate levels of sugar, salt and fat; a light-green B; a yellow C; and a red D for higher levels of these components.