This policy report addresses Indonesia’s high sodium consumption and its link to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Indonesia’s average salt intake (10.5g/day) exceeds WHO’s recommendation (5g/day), contributing to high stroke rates (3,809 DALYs per 100,000 people).
Key findings:
73% of sodium intake comes from home-cooked meals, with a growing share from processed foods.
Only 37% of households use adequately iodized salt, increasing iodine deficiency risks.
High salt intake is a leading contributor to hypertension, responsible for a 27% increase in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) since 1990.
Policy recommendations include:
Public awareness campaigns on sodium risks.
Mandatory sodium reduction in processed foods (as seen in South Africa and Argentina).
Labeling regulations for consumer transparency.
Support for local food producers in reformulating products with lower salt content.
The report highlights salt reduction as a cost-effective strategy to improve public health and reduce healthcare burdens.
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