Indonesia Mandates SNI Standards for Food Trays by 2025

Imagine children eagerly receiving their carefully prepared nutritious lunches - the safety and hygiene of their food trays directly impact their healthy development. To ensure the safety of these vessels that carry hope for better nutrition, Indonesia will implement strict quality controls at the source.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita recently announced that food trays will be subject to mandatory National Standards (SNI) starting in 2025. This measure represents significant progress in Indonesia's food safety sector, aiming to improve the quality of food packaging containers and safeguard public health.

Mandatory SNI: Safeguarding the Nutrition Program

Minister Agus emphasized that the ministry's core policy requires all food trays to meet minimum SNI 3.04 standards. Any non-compliant products will be prohibited from circulation in Indonesia. This mandatory standard will effectively prevent substandard products from entering the market, ensuring food safety at the source.

"We will enforce this standard strictly - products must meet at least the 3.04 standard. Those that fail to comply won't be permitted in Indonesia," stated Minister Agus during a press conference following the signing of a memorandum of understanding regarding industrial development in migration areas.

SNI Standards: The Key to Food Tray Safety

The SNI 3.04 standard represents comprehensive quality and safety requirements. It covers multiple aspects including materials, production processes, hygiene indicators, heavy metal content, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance. Only SNI-certified food trays can guarantee they won't release harmful substances or contaminate food during use.

Supporting the Presidential Nutrition Initiative

The development of mandatory SNI standards for food trays is currently underway to support President Prabowo Subianto's nutrition program, which aims to provide nutritious food to children through hygienic food supply systems. Minister Agus noted that while food tray SNI standards were previously voluntary, the government is now establishing mandatory requirements.

Why Mandatory SNI Standards Matter

The food tray market has long suffered from inconsistent quality. Some manufacturers use substandard materials to cut costs, producing trays that may release harmful substances and pose health risks. This is particularly concerning in schools and food service establishments where large quantities of food trays are used daily.

The mandatory SNI standards will establish uniform quality requirements, regulate market practices, eliminate substandard products, and ensure consumers have access to safe, reliable food trays.

Industry Impact

The new regulations will significantly affect the food tray industry. Manufacturers will need to increase research investments and improve production processes, driving industry-wide upgrades. Meanwhile, companies lacking proper qualifications or technical capabilities will be phased out through natural market selection.

For consumers, the mandatory standards provide assurance that purchased food trays meet safety requirements, eliminating concerns about inferior products.

Future Outlook

The food tray SNI mandate represents just one component of Indonesia's broader food safety framework. The government plans to strengthen food safety supervision, improve standards systems, and intensify enforcement against violations to create a safer food consumption environment.

As food safety regulations continue to strengthen, Indonesia's food industry is expected to achieve healthier, more sustainable development, while consumers will benefit from safer, more nutritious food options.