Indonesia Introduces Nutri-Level: A New Weapon Against Excess Sugar Consumption

Source: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Photo: MoH Indonesia)

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia has issued a new regulation requiring nutrition labeling for ready-to-serve food and beverages in order to encourage healthier consumption habits among the public.

The regulation is outlined in Minister of Health Decree No. HK.01.07/MENKES/301/2026 concerning the inclusion of nutritional labels and health messages on ready-to-serve food products, which was issued on Tuesday, April 14.

According to the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, this policy is intended as an educational effort to prevent excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and fat (SSF), which can lead to various non-communicable diseases such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

As an illustration, four diseases that create the largest financial burden for BPJS Kesehatan are closely related to excessive SSF consumption. For example, healthcare spending for kidney failure increased by more than 400%, rising to IDR 13.38 trillion in 2025, compared to only IDR 2.32 trillion in 2019.

“Therefore, it is necessary to provide information and education so that the public can more easily choose ready-to-serve foods that are appropriate and healthy according to their needs,” said Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

He also added that this policy is part of the mandate of Indonesia’s Health Law, which requires cross-sector policies for disease prevention to be aligned.

“The Health Law mandates the alignment of policies across sectors. The Ministry of Health is responsible for regulating ready-to-serve food, while processed or manufactured food products fall under the authority of the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority,” he explained.

At the initial stage, this decree does not target micro, small, and medium-sized ready-to-serve food businesses, such as small food stalls (warteg), street vendors, or small restaurants.

However, ready-to-serve sweetened beverages—such as boba drinks, teh tarik, palm sugar milk coffee, and fruit juices produced by large-scale businesses—are required to display nutrition labels and health messages in the form of Nutri-Level indicators.

This requirement aims to educate the public and reduce excessive consumption of sugary beverages.

These Nutri-Level labels must be displayed through various information media, including:

• Menu lists
• Retail packaging
• Brochures
• Banners
• Flyers
• Electronic commercial menu applications
• Leaflets
• Other promotional information media

What Is Nutri-Level?

Nutri-Level is a nutritional labeling system that indicates the level of sugar, salt, and fat (SSF) contained in a food or beverage product.

The label uses letters and colors to help consumers easily understand the nutritional health level of the product.

The Nutri-Level categories consist of:

Nutri-Level values are expressed as percentages (%) or measurements in grams or milligrams per 100 milliliters (g/100 ml or mg/100 ml).

Source: Minister of Health Decree No. HK.01.07/MENKES/301/2026 on the inclusion of nutritional labels and health messages on ready-to-serve processed food.

Level A represents the lowest sugar, salt, and fat content, Level B, Level C, and Level D with progressively higher levels. Businesses determine the Nutri-Level classification through self-declaration based on laboratory testing results, conducted by government laboratories or other accredited laboratories.

Nutri-Level Label Format

The Nutri-Level indicator can appear in vertical or horizontal formats, depending on the design and placement within the product information media.

These labels may be displayed on:

• Beverage packaging
• Restaurant or café menus
• Product posters or flyers
• Brochures and advertisements

The goal of this labeling system is to provide clear nutritional information and help consumers make healthier choices when purchasing ready-to-serve foods and beverages.

Source: Nutri-Level labeling guidelines by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.

Nutri-Level labels will also appear on beverage packaging, restaurant or café menus, product posters or flyers, as well as brochures and advertisements.

Source: Nutri-Level labeling guidelines by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.