The widespread overconsumption of processed foods is believed to increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases. The government is intensifying regulations on limits for sugar, salt, and fat (SSF).
The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority plans to implement a nutri-level labeling system consisting of four levels (A, B, C, and D) in 2026. These levels indicate SSF content from best to least favorable, enabling consumers to make healthier product choices.
Professor Sri Raharjo of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM) explained that implementing food labeling regulations requires a lengthy process. In the initial stage, consumer education is provided through the mandatory “Nutrition Facts” label on all packaged processed foods. This label provides complete information on nutrient content, including fat, protein, sugar, and sodium per serving.
“The earliest condition for educating consumers about packaged processed foods is through the Nutrition Facts label issued by the Food and Drug Authority,” he said on Monday (Apr. 6).
Professor Raharjo gave the example of instant noodles. In a 100-gram package, there may be around 15 grams of fat. Referring to the recommended daily fat intake of approximately 60 grams for adults, a single pack of instant noodles already accounts for about 25 percent of that requirement. He noted that this figure is often misinterpreted by consumers.
He explained that the Nutrition Facts label provides two types of information simultaneously. The first column shows the amount of nutrients in grams, while the second column shows the percentage of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), indicating the contribution to daily nutritional needs.
Despite being comprehensive, Sri said this initial format has not been entirely effective. Surveys show that many consumers rarely read nutrition labels on packaging. Even among those who read them, most still struggle to understand the meaning of the numbers listed.
“The proportion of those who rarely read and those who do not read at all is still about 50 percent compared to those who read. The general public may only read the numbers, but they do not fully understand the meaning of the content and RDA,” Professor Raharjo explained.
In response to this consumer behavior, the government introduced a simplified approach through the “Healthier Choice” logo. Products meeting certain criteria display a check mark to indicate better nutritional quality.
However, this approach also has limitations and creates ambiguity for other products. Professor Raharjo pointed out that not all products qualify for the logo. Products without the label can cause confusion among consumers.
“For products without the logo, consumers may wonder whether they are unhealthy or simply not yet assessed. This second approach still has weaknesses,” he said.
As a bridge between the previous approaches, the government then developed the nutri-level system. Sri described this scheme as an effort to simplify detailed label information without being overly simplistic, like the logo. This system uses graded assessments so that products with lower SSF content receive better ratings in category A, and vice versa.
Professor Raharjo cited the example of packaged tea beverages, which generally contain 10 to 12 percent sugar. Meanwhile, the healthier recommended sugar intake is only around 6 percent per 100 milliliters of beverage.
“If the sugar content is high, it certainly cannot receive an A rating. It may receive a C or D because the sugar content exceeds the recommendation. This level system is designed so consumers do not have to deal with percentages,” he said.
Through the nutri-level system, consumers can more easily compare similar products and choose those with better nutritional content. However, Professor Raharjo emphasized that the success of this policy depends heavily on public education.
“The goal is to help consumers choose products that meet their nutritional needs. Without massive educational efforts, this policy may not be effective,” he stated.
Professor Raharjo hopes the government will conduct ongoing public outreach through various media so that people understand the benefits of nutrition labels. With greater consumer awareness, he expects the public to be more careful when choosing packaged foods and to better maintain their health.
Furthermore, he noted that this policy is also related to efforts to reduce the national health cost burden. Excessive consumption of SSF increases the risk of non-communicable diseases that require significant medical expenses.
“If people become more aware of choosing their food, the risks of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease can be reduced. Ultimately, this also reduces the burden on health costs or the National Health Insurance system,” he concluded.
Author: Hanifah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Freepik and Ryan McVay