Indonesia will give food firms two years to meet new labeling rules

Indonesia will set a deadline of two years for food and beverage companies to meet new labeling norms for products high in salt, sugar or fat, a government official told Reuters, a move that spells more delays in efforts to curb fast-rising obesity.

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Health ministry data shows obesity became twice as prevalent over the decade to 2023 in the world’s fourth most populous nation of 280 million, while child agency UNICEF warned of risks to one in three adults and one in five school-age children.

The grace period for labeling norms follows lobbying by the United States, regional trade group Food Industry Asia and domestic manufacturers, who have urged the government of President Prabowo Subianto to reconsider enforcement.

“We explained to the WTO (World Trade Organization) what our steps are: educational first, then two years from now, restrictions kick in,” health ministry official Siti Nadia Tarmizi said in an interview.

She was describing Indonesia's response last year to queries from the WTO on the labeling plan, which envisages strictures such as advertising curbs and a ban on sales near schools for incorrectly labeled products.

“Some countries, or if I’m not mistaken, the United States, questioned our policy,” added Ms. Tarmizi, the director of the department of noncommunicable diseases.