Mirella Pandjaitan
Apr 27, 2026
In a bid to address rising concerns over excessive sugar intake, the Indonesian Health Ministry has begun implementing a new policy, referred to as Nutri Level, requiring clearer labelling on packaged food and beverages.
The policy reflects growing alarm over the health of younger generations, many of whom are showing early signs of diabetes. As of 2026, Indonesia ranks fifth globally for the sharpest increase in diabetes cases. Data from the International Diabetes Federation also states tens of millions of people are at risk due to high sugar consumption patterns.
The Health Ministry is targeting large-scale businesses in its initial phase. Smaller vendors—such as local food stalls, street-side juice sellers, and informal eateries—are exempt, ensuring that micro-enterprises remain unaffected.
Why introduce Nutri Level?
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has positioned the policy as an urgent intervention. He addressed the regulation, noting:
“This policy serves as an educational measure to reduce excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and fat (GGL), which can lead to various non-communicable diseases—including obesity, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
“Providing clearer labelling and information is essential to help Indonesians make more informed and healthier choices when selecting ready-to-eat foods.”
The financial burden on BPJS Kesehatan driven by non-communicable diseases linked to excessive sugar, salt, and fat (GGL) consumption has reached alarming levels.
As a critical benchmark, treatment costs for kidney failure have surged by over 400 per cent, rising from Rp2.32 trillion in 2019 to Rp13.38 trillion in 2025. This mirrors findings from the World Health Organisation, which identifies excessive sugary drink consumption as a key contributor to obesity and type 2 diabetes, particularly among younger populations in developing countries.
How the Nutri Level “traffic light” works
The system adopts an intuitive colour-coded scale to indicate GGL content in beverages:
- Level A (Dark Green): Lowest GGL content (healthiest choice)
- Level B (Light Green): Low GGL content
- Level C (Yellow): Moderate GGL content
- Level D (Red): Highest GGL content (should be limited)
These labels will be mandatory across menus, food delivery platforms, and promotional materials in larger establishments to allow consumers to instantly assess whether a drink falls into the “red” category before ordering.
However, the labels are not self-declared. Businesses must conduct laboratory testing either through government facilities or accredited labs to determine the GGL content of their products. This marks a long-awaited step toward greater transparency for Indonesian consumers.
What this means for you
Consumers are faced with an abundance of convenient, ready-to-eat options in supermarkets and local stores. While accessibility has improved, it also underscores the need for greater awareness, recognising that not all food and beverages are suitable for frequent consumption.
The policy is therefore designed as a tool—not a restriction. With Nutri Level providing clear, accessible information, the choice to adopt healthier habits ultimately rests with the individual. Going forward, consumers are encouraged to pay attention to the “colour code” before placing an order. Because in the long run, sustained health far outweighs the fleeting indulgence of a high-sugar drink.