When Will the Nutri-Level Labelling Rule Begin? BPOM Head Speaks Out
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) is in the process of finalising new regulations regarding the labelling of nutritional content on food products, known as nutri-level. This policy will serve as a guide for the public in selecting healthier food options.
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated that the nutri-level regulation has been decided for implementation, but it is still in the technical preparation and harmonisation stage with industry players.
“Its implementation will be gradual, starting from education, then voluntary, followed by healthier choices, and finally becoming mandatory,” Taruna said after a meeting with Commission IX of the House of Representatives at the DPR Building, Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (20/4/2026).
BPOM will not immediately mandate this regulation. In the initial stage, Taruna explained, the main focus is to enhance public understanding of nutritional content in packaged foods.
After that, industry players will be given space to implement it voluntarily before it becomes a full obligation. However, the implementation timeline is still under discussion.
BPOM targets the regulation to take effect in about two years, while industry players request a longer period of up to five years. This difference is still being negotiated, Taruna said.
The nutri-level policy aligns with the mandate of the Health Law, which encourages transparency in nutritional information for consumers. With this label, the public is expected to more easily distinguish between healthier products and those that pose risks if consumed excessively.
“Our target is to educate the public so they can choose healthier food,” Taruna said.
Nutri-Level will classify products based on their sugar, salt, and fat content (GGL), which have long been the main triggers for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The label uses a simple system of letters and colours:
A (dark green): low GGL content, healthier
B (light green): relatively low
C (yellow): should be consumed wisely
D (red): should be limited
Similar schemes have already been implemented in various countries, such as colour-coded labels or nutritional scores visible on the front of product packaging. Indonesia is now moving in the same direction, amid rising cases of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and obesity.
The nutri-level regulation will bring significant changes to the packaged food industry. Although not immediately mandatory, the policy direction is clear: promoting transparency and healthier consumption patterns. In the coming years, nutritional labels on packaging will likely no longer be mere small information but a determinant of consumer choices.