Nutri-Level and BPOM's 2026 Nutrition Labeling Rule: Opportunities, Challenges, and Impact on Indonesian Consumers
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- Kementerian Kesehatan meluncurkan Nutri-Level yang mengklasifikasi pangan olahan ke level A-D berdasarkan kandungan gula, garam, dan lemak.
- BPOM menerbitkan Peraturan Nomor 10 Tahun 2026 tentang informasi nilai gizi pada label pangan olahan, diundangkan 17 Juni 2026.
- Kebijakan ini berpotensi menekan beban ganda gizi: stunting 19,8% dan obesitas dewasa 23,4% (2023), namun menuntut kesiapan industri dan edukasi konsumen.
Indonesia is strengthening nutrition labeling regulation for processed foods through two major steps: the Ministry of Health is introducing the Nutri-Level system, which categorizes products into levels A through D based on sugar, salt, and fat content, while the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has issued Regulation No. 10 of 2026 on nutrition value information on processed food labels. The regulation, enacted on 17 June 2026, marks a new chapter in the state's effort to improve public consumption patterns amid the unfinished double burden of nutrition problems.
This step is not merely a packaging redesign. It is a public health intervention targeting the roots of non-communicable diseases, from diabetes to hypertension. According to data from the 2024 Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI), the prevalence of stunting among children under five remains 19.8 percent, down from 21.5 percent in 2023. That means about one in five children under five is still stunted. On the other hand, a 2023 Ministry of Health survey recorded that 23.4 percent of adults over 18 are obese. This combination shows Indonesia is no longer dealing only with undernutrition, but also with excess intake that triggers degenerative diseases.
The experience of several countries can serve as a mirror. Australia and New Zealand have applied the Health Star Rating (HSR) since 2014, giving scores of half to five stars on the front of packaging. The more stars, the better the product's nutritional profile compared with similar products. This system makes it easier for consumers who lack the time or knowledge to compare sodium, sugar, saturated fat, energy, and serving size across several products at once. In Indonesia, Nutri-Level is expected to play a similar role, though with an approach tailored to local context.
However, the effectiveness of this policy depends on several factors. First, the readiness of the processed food industry to adjust labels and product formulations. Large producers may find it easier to adapt, but micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) risk struggling to meet the new standards. Second, consumer nutrition literacy. Without adequate understanding, the Nutri-Level label could become a mere sticker without changing shopping behavior. Third, consistent market supervision, so there is no loophole for imported or local products to deceive consumers.
In UNICEF's Conceptual Framework on Maternal and Child Nutrition (2020), diet and caregiving are direct determinants of nutritional status. A good diet is determined by adequate food availability and proper consumption practices. The next layer covers food, services, environment, social norms, and governance. Therefore, nutrition policy is not enough to merely ensure people get food, but must also build an environment that encourages healthier choices. This is where nutrition labels play a role as a decision-making aid.
The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, which analyzed 88 risk factors across 204 countries and territories, confirms that poor diets contribute significantly to lost health. Indonesia is among the countries facing an epidemiological transition, in which non-communicable diseases are increasingly dominant. For that reason, nutrition labeling is not merely an administrative matter, but a long-term investment to curb health costs and raise productivity.
For Indonesian readers, especially investors and professionals, this policy opens both opportunities and challenges. Opportunities emerge in the form of healthier product innovation, nutrition consulting services, and food technology. The challenges lie in supply chain adjustment, compliance costs, and the risk of declining competitiveness for products that do not adapt quickly. The government needs to prepare incentives for MSMEs and a massive education campaign so the transition proceeds fairly.
Going forward, the crucial question is: will Nutri-Level and BPOM Regulation 10/2026 truly change consumer behavior, or will they become a regulatory formality? The answer depends on consistent supervision, cross-sector collaboration, and the industry's willingness to innovate. Without that, this major effort risks losing its leverage.
