Indonesia’s Health Ministry will soon require manufacturers to put sugar content on the labels of all beverage products sold in the country.
According to a spokesperson from the Ministry, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, “The new requirement may resemble neighbouring Singapore’s.”
The Indonesian government is also expected to impose a sweetened drink tax this year after the presidential election, as it aims to collect Rp 4.3 trillion (US$275.5 million) in revenue. There was a plan to implement the policy last year but it was revised back to zero in November.
Businesses have raised concern that the excise tax will not solve existing health issues like obesity and diabetes in the country.
The Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI) however suggested a levy designed to incentivize the industry to produce beverages with less sugar or using sugar alternatives.
