BPOM: Nutri-level labelling initially implemented on beverages

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) states that in the initial phase, the nutrition labelling or Nutri-level will be implemented on beverage products first, and gradually expanded to other products.

“Because according to data from public testing and what we see, the majority of excess sugar and excess fat are in sweetened beverages,” said BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar in Jakarta on Tuesday, during the launch of the nutrition labelling policy.

He mentioned that this is being done gradually considering the large number of food business actors in Indonesia, namely 1.7 million industries.

During the transitional or education period regarding the policy to business actors, he said, in addition to providing nutrition labels, they also provide a healthy food mark as a reward for business actors who comply with the provisions.

Some other rewards given if the provisions are met, he said, for example, permits that are granted faster. According to him, with the healthy food stamp, people will prefer that product.

“And that can be prevented, if sugar, salt, and fat intake is according to the portion. So it’s better to prevent than to treat,” he said.

He explained that 73 percent of deaths in Indonesia are caused by non-infectious diseases, while the global average is 70 percent.

On the same occasion, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said that currently the policy is still in the form of an exhortation and not yet mandatory. There is a transition period of around 1-2 years, he said.

His side and BPOM will monitor the implementation of the policy according to their respective authorities. The Ministry of Health through its health offices will monitor in large restaurants and those with many branches.

Meanwhile, on the Nutri-level, there are four labels, namely A dark green for sugar, salt, and fat (GGL) levels that meet the portion, B light green, C yellow, and D red for high GGL levels.