Bangkok--22 Mar--Jigsaw Communication
Food Industry determined to work with Government agencies to combat obesity in Thailand through consumer education
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Food Group fully supports the FDA’s proposal to improve the food labeling system on packaged foods and drinks in Thailand in order clearly display the nutrition values of the products so that consumers can make informed choices about the products they purchase and consume. To support this initiative the Food Industry in Thailand is also determined to work closely with the Government to educate consumers about the proposed new labeling system showing Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA).
The GDA nutrition labeling system proposed by the FDA in Thailand is an internationally recognized system used in many countries worldwide including Thailand where it is currently being used on a voluntary basis by a number of FTI Food Group member companies. The key feature of the labeling system lies in the factual information given without any attempt to shape an opinion for consumers or influence consumer judgment on the nutritional values of the product. The concept of GDA is in line with FAO/WHO CODEX Food Standards Programme which specifies that information on food labels should not lead consumers into believing that the label carries a body of knowledge that can suggest a certain amount of consumption to maintain good health, but should inform consumers of the amount of each ingredient or nutrition value in the food product.
Khun Visit Limprana, President, FTI Food Group, said “Obesity itself is a very complex issue and there are many contributing factors which lead to people becoming obese. The FTI Food Group recognizes the scale of the problem in Thailand and to tackle this issue there is a real need for good cooperation with all stakeholders involved to follow the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. To accomplish this the FTI Food Group is willing to take the lead in coordinating among all parties in order to educate consumers about food and nutrition labeling and create the balance in food consumption necessary for ensuring good health among Thai consumers.”
Dr. Pichet Itkor, Vice President, FTI Food Club said “GDA is much more preferable to the colour-coded system commonly known as traffic lights because the colour-coded system is based on an assumption that suggests that a certain amount of consumption of a particular ingredient is considered high, moderate or low. Although this may be more easily comprehensible, it may be misleading as each person is different and has different nutritional needs. In addition, colour-coding does not encourage consumers to understand the principles of good nutrition and as a result consumers are likely to make decisions based on colour rather than on a balanced nutrition plan for their daily consumption.”
Khun Visit Limprana added “The FTI Food Group and all its members fully comply with Thailand’s current labeling regulations and we are committed to addressing the obesity issue in Thailand. To this extent we have held discussions with the FDA to help them develop a more informative and readily understandable nutrition label for packaging. We have also offered to assist with the development of an action plan on obesity being developed by the National Health Commission, who have not responded to our offer of help in spite of the fact that the December 2009 National Health Assembly resolution on obesity called for “the participation of all stakeholders in the development of the Action Plan”. Nevertheless we will continue to offer our assistance and support the FDA’s plan to implement GDA.”
For more information please contact:
Khun Nattaya Seedokbuab Tel:02-2532793
Khun Nophadol Siwabutr Tel: 02 657 8204