Gapmmi Boss: The Implementation Of Ready-to-eat Food Excise Is Ineffective To Prevent Infectious Diseases

Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Food and Beverage Producers (Gapmmi), Adhi S. Lukman. (Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Food and Beverage Producers (Gapmmi) Adhi S. Lukman assessed that the imposition of excise on ready-to-eat food was ineffective to prevent non-communicable diseases (PTM).

The rules for imposing excise are contained in Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024 concerning Implementing Regulations of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health.

According to him, the imposition of excise will have an extraordinary impact on the food and beverage (Mamin) industry. Moreover, said Adhi, there is one article that states that the content of sugar, salt and fat (GGL) in processed foods is considered to be the cause of non-communicable diseases.

"It turns out that (PP 28) the contents are extraordinary beyond expectation. One of the things that my friends are not aware of, we are not allowed to use materials that cause PTM. Well, this PTM must be defined. If GGL is considered the cause of PTM, so (applied) excise, we automatically can't use it. If we can't use it, what will the excise do? What is the extraordinary discussion," Adhi told reporters when met after the Asia Indonesia Food Ingruents press conference at Artotel Gelora Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, August 19.

"Well, related to excise, of course, we also have to be careful. I convey that the imposition of excise will not be effective. Because from various surveys or studies, they say that GGL is not the only one that causes PTM, there are many causes," he continued.

Adhi assessed that many processed foods cannot be separated from the content of GGL. He gave an example of dodol with sugar content which can reach 40 percent.

"We imagine that if the dodol has sugar levels, it can be 30-40 percent. However, wheat flour is called PTM. Does it cause PTM or not? If it is sorted, everything will cause us, what do we try to eat," he said.

"It was extraordinary (the impact). In our opinion, articles (PP 28/2024) need to be discussed further, yes," he continued.

Thus, said Adhi, the most important thing that can be done now is to provide education to the public.

"I think the most important thing for us is that we must jointly educate consumers. By eating a balanced nutritious food, doing activities, doing self-constraints. Don't be silent," he concluded.

For your information, Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024 concerning Implementing Regulations of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health was signed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on July 26, 2024.

Referring to Article 194 in this regulation, the central government can determine the imposition of excise on certain ready-to-eat processed foods in accordance with statutory provisions.

"In addition to determining the maximum limit for sugar, salt and fat content as referred to in paragraph (1), the Central Government can determine the imposition of excise on certain processed foods in accordance with the provisions of the legislation." read Article 194 paragraph (4).

This rule explains that what is meant by processed food is processed food or drinks by certain means or methods with or without additional ingredients.

Meanwhile, what is meant by ready-to-eat processed food is processed food or drinks that are ready to be served directly in business places or outside business places such as food served in Boga services, hotels, restaurants, restaurants, canteens, canteens, street food outlets and mobile food suppliers or similar businesses.