Apindo meets with the Minister of Health, this is what was discussed

Jakarta, VIVA – Businessmen from the Association of Indonesian Entrepreneurs (Apindo) say they have met with the Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin. The meeting discussed the decision of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 28 of 2024 on the implementation of Law No. 17 No. 2023 on health.

This provision is said to have attracted attention due to many articles that are considered harmful to business actors.

Apindo General President Shinta V. Kamdani revealed that after his party’s meeting with Budi, businessmen will have room for further consultations.

“Therefore, in our discussion, the Minister of Health will open the place for further consultations,” he said, quoted on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

Companies understand that Health Regulation No. 28 of 2024 has been prepared because it addresses health aspects, such as the prohibition of advertising on processed products that exceed the maximum sugar, salt and fat (GGL) content.

The government itself enforces these regulations to maximize efforts to limit the amount of GGL in processed and edible products. For Shinta, the government needs to examine whether the ban will actually have the desired effect.

“We are now preparing the data results because we see that ultimately we need to show what the effect really is, whether it can really help,” he said.

On the other hand, his party values ​​the Health Regulation No. 28 of 2024, which is considered a series of positive things for society if it is applied fairly. But he also called on the government to focus on influencing business entities, because, according to him, this affects the execution of the ruling in the field.

Among the points of Health Regulation No. 28 of 2024, which are directed to the sector, Chapter II Part twenty-one protects addictive substances, from article 429 to article 463 PP 28/2024. This section regulates the control of addictive substances in products containing or not tobacco, whether cigarettes or other forms of addictive properties.

For example, as provided for in paragraph 1 of Article 434, the sale of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to any person using self-service machines, the sale of tobacco and electronic cigarettes to any person under 21 (twenty-one) years of age and to pregnant women;

Then, sell tobacco and electronic cigarettes at retail, except for tobacco products in the form of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes individually; Then sell tobacco and electronic cigarettes by placing tobacco and electronic cigarette products around entrances and exits or in frequently visited places;

Likewise, natural tobacco and electronic cigarettes will be sold within a radius of 200 (two hundred) meters from educational units and playgrounds; and tobacco and electronic cigarettes will be sold using websites or electronic applications and social networks.

Furthermore, the point of PP 28/2024, highlighted by the actors in the sector, is the prohibition of advertising of processed products that exceed the maximum amount of sugar, salt and fat. This regulation aims to maximize the government’s efforts to limit the amount of sugar, salt and fat in processed and ready-to-eat products.

In addition to advertising, the government also bans the promotion and sponsorship of processed foods at events that contain excessive amounts of sugar, salt and fat. “It establishes provisions prohibiting the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of processed food products, including ready-made meals,” says Article 200 letter b of the PP version on health.

Under this regulation, every person or business entity that produces, imports and distributes processed food products is obliged to label their content. If they violate this, commercial entities will be sanctioned in the form of a written warning, an administrative fine and the most severe, that is, the cancellation of production licenses.