Indonesian Contemporary Drinks Mostly High in Sugar; Nutri-Level Implementation Faces Challenges
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- A study found most ready-to-eat beverages in Jakarta and Bogor have high sugar content, with only three out of 100 samples meeting low-sugar criteria.
- Experts warn that implementing a nutrition labeling system like Nutri-Level could result in most products receiving poor ratings (C and D), potentially leading to industry rejection.
- To ensure public health goals, the government is advised to collaborate with businesses on gradual sugar reduction, consumer education, and supportive policies, rather than solely relying on labeling.
Republika, a prominent Indonesian news outlet, highlights a critical issue concerning the nation's favorite "kekinian" (contemporary) drinks. Our investigation, spearheaded by food technology expert Prof. Nuri Andarwulan from IPB University, reveals a startling reality: the vast majority of these popular beverages are laden with sugar.
Apabila kebijakan ini diterapkan tidak hanya pada minuman kemasan tetapi juga pada produk di kafe dan restoran, maka sebagian besar produk kemungkinan akan memperoleh label C dan D (kuning dan merah). Hal ini tentu menjadi konsekuensi besar bagi pelaku usaha
Our findings are stark. Out of 100 samples tested in Jakarta and Bogor – encompassing everything from coffee and tea to bubble tea and chocolate drinks – a mere three met the low-sugar threshold. The rest, a staggering 97%, fall into the moderate to very high sugar categories (C and D), exceeding recommended daily intake levels per serving. This poses a significant challenge for the proposed Nutri-Level nutrition labeling system. If applied broadly to cafe and restaurant offerings, as it is to packaged goods, most products could be branded with C and D labels, a consequence the industry may find difficult to accept.
Reformulasi penurunan kadar gula pada minuman secara bertahap perlu dilakukan dan melibatkan pelaku usaha
Prof. Andarwulan rightly points out that the industry might resist a policy perceived as unrealistic. Therefore, a collaborative approach is essential. The government must engage businesses in product reformulation to gradually lower sugar content. Simply imposing labels without a supportive framework, including incentives for reformulation and robust consumer education, will likely prove ineffective. The potential for artificial sweeteners as a shortcut, while not guaranteeing a better label, also needs careful consideration.
Penggunaan pemanis buatan bisa menjadi jalan pintas, meskipun tidak serta-merta menghasilkan kategori terbaik dalam sistem Nutri Level
Furthermore, regulatory harmonization is crucial. The current division of oversight between BPOM for packaged goods and the Ministry of Health for cafe/restaurant items creates potential loopholes. Without clear, synchronized regulations, implementation will falter. For consumers, the challenge lies in understanding and accepting these labels. If most drinks are flagged as unhealthy, the information could be ignored or cause confusion. As Republika has consistently advocated, public health is the ultimate goal, and achieving it requires a multi-pronged strategy: education, reformulation, nutritional intervention programs, and fiscal policies, all implemented gradually and based on scientific evidence.
Tanpa edukasi yang masif, label berpotensi tidak memberikan dampak nyata
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
