The Importance of Labels on Food Products

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 108 views

Consumer Protection of Food Products that are not Labeled by Business Actors based on Positive Law in Indonesia: A Study in Several Trading Businesses in the City of Medan

Introduction

Labels on food products play a crucial role in the relationship between producers and consumers. Not only do they serve as a means of information about the products sold, but they also guarantee that the product is safe, quality, and meets established standards. In the city of Medan, despite the existence of various regulations governing labels, many business actors fail to comply with these regulations. This thesis aims to discuss consumer protection regarding food products that are not labeled, the responsibility of business actors, as well as supervision by the government.

The Importance of Labels on Food Products

Labels on food products serve to provide clear and accurate information to consumers about what they consume. Giving honest and complete labels is essential for creating healthy and responsible trade. A good label includes information about materials, expiration date, nutritional value, and distribution permit number. This information is vital to help consumers make informed decisions, especially for those who have certain allergies or diseases. Without adequate labeling, consumers are at risk of loss or even endangering their health.

The lack of labeling on food products can have severe consequences for consumers. For instance, if a product causes an allergic reaction to consumers who are unaware of the raw materials, producers often escape responsibility. This highlights the need for business actors to be more responsible and sensitive to consumer interests. In this case, the government must uphold sanctions against business actors who violate regulations to create a safer trading climate.

Challenges in Regulatory Implementation

Although it has been regulated in Government Regulation Number 69 of 1999, the implementation of regulations related to the inclusion of labels in food products in Medan is still lacking. Many business actors ignore this obligation, resulting in products sold in the market without the required labels. Normative and juridical legal research conducted shows the non-compliance of business actors that harm consumers. This reflects the need to increase awareness among business actors about the importance of transparency and responsibility in trade.

The challenges in regulatory implementation are multifaceted. Limited resources and reach of supervision by the government are significant obstacles. The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) plays an important role in ensuring that food products on the market meet established standards. However, despite attempts by the government to oversee and crack down on violations, challenges remain. If a violation is found, dispute resolution can be done in two ways, namely outside the court or through the court. This indicates that consumers have the right to seek justice if they are harmed by products that do not meet standards.

Business Actors' Responsibility

The unclear information on food products that are not labeled has a direct impact on consumers. Many producers do not want to be responsible for losses experienced by consumers due to the lack of information in their products. This shows that business actors must be more responsible and sensitive to consumer interests. In this case, the government needs to uphold sanctions against business actors who violate regulations to create a safer trading climate.

Business actors have a crucial role to play in ensuring that food products are labeled correctly. They must take responsibility for the products sold and provide accurate information to consumers. This includes disclosing information about materials, expiration date, nutritional value, and distribution permit number. By doing so, business actors can build trust with consumers and contribute to a healthier food trade.

The Role of Government in Supervision

Supervision of food products that are not labeled is carried out by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). BPOM plays an important role in ensuring that food products on the market meet established standards. Although there has been an attempt by the government to oversee and crack down on violations, challenges remain in terms of limited resources and reach of supervision. If a violation is found, dispute resolution can be done in two ways, namely outside the court or through the court. This indicates that consumers have the right to seek justice if they are harmed by products that do not meet standards.

The government must strengthen supervision and law enforcement to ensure that business actors comply with regulations. This includes increasing awareness among business actors about the importance of transparency and responsibility in trade. By doing so, the government can create a safer trading climate and protect consumers from harm.

Conclusion

The inclusion of labels in food products in Indonesia is crucial for consumer protection. Although regulations already exist, the application in the field is still far from expectations, especially in the city of Medan. Business actors need to increase their responsibilities for the products sold, while the government must strengthen supervision and law enforcement. With collaboration between all parties, consumer protection can be realized, and healthy food trade can be built.

In conclusion, the importance of labels on food products cannot be overstated. Business actors must take responsibility for the products sold and provide accurate information to consumers. The government must strengthen supervision and law enforcement to ensure that business actors comply with regulations. By doing so, we can create a safer trading climate and protect consumers from harm.
Frequently Asked Questions: Consumer Protection of Food Products that are not Labeled by Business Actors based on Positive Law in Indonesia

Q: What is the importance of labels on food products?

A: Labels on food products serve to provide clear and accurate information to consumers about what they consume. Giving honest and complete labels is essential for creating healthy and responsible trade. A good label includes information about materials, expiration date, nutritional value, and distribution permit number.

Q: Why is it essential for business actors to label their food products correctly?

A: Business actors have a crucial role to play in ensuring that food products are labeled correctly. They must take responsibility for the products sold and provide accurate information to consumers. This includes disclosing information about materials, expiration date, nutritional value, and distribution permit number. By doing so, business actors can build trust with consumers and contribute to a healthier food trade.

Q: What are the consequences of not labeling food products correctly?

A: The lack of labeling on food products can have severe consequences for consumers. For instance, if a product causes an allergic reaction to consumers who are unaware of the raw materials, producers often escape responsibility. This highlights the need for business actors to be more responsible and sensitive to consumer interests.

Q: What is the role of the government in supervising food products that are not labeled?

A: The government must strengthen supervision and law enforcement to ensure that business actors comply with regulations. This includes increasing awareness among business actors about the importance of transparency and responsibility in trade. By doing so, the government can create a safer trading climate and protect consumers from harm.

Q: How can consumers protect themselves from harm caused by food products that are not labeled?

A: Consumers have the right to seek justice if they are harmed by products that do not meet standards. If a violation is found, dispute resolution can be done in two ways, namely outside the court or through the court. This indicates that consumers have the right to seek justice if they are harmed by products that do not meet standards.

Q: What are the challenges in regulatory implementation related to labeling food products?

A: Although it has been regulated in Government Regulation Number 69 of 1999, the implementation of regulations related to the inclusion of labels in food products in Medan is still lacking. Many business actors ignore this obligation, resulting in products sold in the market without the required labels. Normative and juridical legal research conducted shows the non-compliance of business actors that harm consumers.

Q: What is the significance of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) in ensuring that food products on the market meet established standards?

A: BPOM plays an important role in ensuring that food products on the market meet established standards. Although there has been an attempt by the government to oversee and crack down on violations, challenges remain in terms of limited resources and reach of supervision.

Q: How can business actors increase their responsibilities for the products sold?

A: Business actors can increase their responsibilities for the products sold by providing accurate information to consumers. This includes disclosing information about materials, expiration date, nutritional value, and distribution permit number. By doing so, business actors can build trust with consumers and contribute to a healthier food trade.

Q: What is the ultimate goal of consumer protection of food products that are not labeled by business actors based on positive law in Indonesia?

A: The ultimate goal of consumer protection of food products that are not labeled by business actors based on positive law in Indonesia is to create a safer trading climate and protect consumers from harm. By strengthening supervision and law enforcement, increasing awareness among business actors, and providing accurate information to consumers, we can achieve this goal.