Indonesia is implementing stricter front-of-pack nutrition labels supported by WHO to help consumers make healthier choices amid escalating obesity and overweight statistics, marking a significant step in food regulation policy.
Indonesia is moving to make nutrition labelling easier to read at a time when rates of overweight and obesity continue to climb. The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that 23.4% of adults over 18 in Indonesia were obese in 2023, up from 15.4% a decade earlier, while 17.6% of adolescents aged 13 to 17 were overweight. It said the growth in packaged foods and drinks high in sugar, salt and fat has made it harder for shoppers to judge which products are healthier. (who.int)
To tackle that problem, WHO has backed the Indonesian government’s front-of-pack nutrition labelling push, known as Nutri-Level. The agency said it has supported the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drug Authority, known as BPOM, since 2023 with technical advice, training and policy discussions. WHO said that effort helped secure the inclusion of front-of-pack nutrition labelling in Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024, which created the legal basis for a nationwide mandatory system. (who.int)
BPOM’s own rulebook shows the policy has now taken another step forward. According to the government’s legal database, BPOM Regulation No. 6 of 2024 was issued on 1 April 2024 and took effect on 5 April 2024, updating Indonesia’s processed-food labelling rules. WHO said that, in 2026, this wider framework led to two Nutri-Level policies: a health ministry decree for ready-to-serve beverages that is voluntary, and a BPOM regulation that will become mandatory for processed packaged drinks after two years. Under the system, beverages are graded from A to D according to their sugar, salt and fat content, with the labels appearing on packaging, restaurant menus and digital food-delivery platforms. (peraturan.bpk.go.id)
The move has drawn support and scrutiny in equal measure. In a policy paper on the regulation of sugar, salt and fat consumption, the Centre for Indonesian Policy Studies argued that front-of-pack labels should be backed by strong technical guidance, phased implementation and greater consumer nutrition literacy. The group also favoured interpretive warning labels, citing their use in countries such as Chile, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. WHO, meanwhile, said it will keep advising Indonesian officials as they assess the scheme and consider extending mandatory labelling to more food categories. (cips-indonesia.org)
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
