9th Seminar on Nutrition Labelling, Claims and Communication Strategies

Manila, Philippines
04/08/2015 – 05/08/2015
Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria

Ninth Seminar on Nutrition Labelling Banner

OVERVIEW

Nutrition labels, as well as nutrition and health claims, are important tools to communicate the nutritional quality and health benefits of a food product to consumers. They provide point-of-sale information to help consumers make informed choices. In Southeast Asia, there is wide disparity between label formats and permitted claims between countries, causing confusion among consumers and resulting in trade barriers for food manufacturers and distributors.

As part of the series of seminars on nutrition labeling and claims organized by the International Life Sciences Institute Southeast Asia Region (ILSI SEA Region), the 1½-day seminar provided an update on regional developments and regulatory changes in nutrition labeling, nutrition and health claims, and related issues in Southeast Asia and other regions. The seminar also discussed the use of nutrition information panel (NIP), front-of-pack (FOP) and claims as communication tools and how they could help make a change in the consumer behavior. Additionally, the seminar addressed scientific substantiation of claims, and challenges and efforts on harmonization of nutrition labeling in the ASEAN region.

OBJECTIVES

This 1½-day seminar aimed to:

  • Provide an update on regional developments and regulatory changes in nutrition labeling, nutrition and health claims, and related issues in Southeast Asia and other regions.
  • Discuss the use of nutrition information panel (NIP), front-of-pack (FOP) and claims as communication tools and how they could help make a change in the consumer behavior.
  • Address scientific substantiation of claims, and challenges and efforts on harmonization of nutrition labeling in the ASEAN region.

ORGANIZERS

ILSI SEA Region and ILSI SEA Region Philippine Country Committee

CO-ORGANIZER

Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST)

COLLABORATOR

Food and Drug Administration, Philippines

PROGRAM

The program is available here.

SUMMARY REPORT

The summary report is available here.

PRESENTATIONS

Session 1: Nutrition Labeling and Claims: Regulatory Updates
Updates from Southeast Asia:

Indonesia
Ms. Siti Maemunah, National Agency of Drug and Food Control, Indonesia
PDF

Lao PDR (Presentation not available)
Dr. Khamseng Philavong, Ministry of Health, Lao PDR

Malaysia
Ms. Norrani Binti Eksan, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
PDF

Myanmar
Dr. Hnin Nandar Kyaw, Food and Drug Administration, Myanmar
PDF

Philippines
Ms. Helena Alcaraz, Food and Drug Administration, Philippines
PDF

Singapore
Ms. Mui Lee Neo, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, Singapore
PDF

Thailand
Dr. Tipvon Parinyasiri, Food and Drug Administration, Thailand
PDF

Vietnam
Mrs. Truong Thuy Ngoc, Vietnam Food Administration, Vietnam
PDF

Perspective of Food Labelling Systems in Japan: An Update
Dr. Toshitaka Masuda, Consumer Affairs Agency, Japan
PDF

Session 2: Use of Labeling for Communication of Nutrition and Public Health Messages
Nutrition and Fortification Claims – Impacts on Consumer Behavior
Ms. Hazel Fowler, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), Australia
PDF

Consumers Understanding of Nutrition Labels in the Philippines (Presentation not available)
Dr. Cecilia Cristina Santos-Acuin, FNRI, Philippines

Communication Strategies on Nutrition Labels: The Philippines Experience
Atty. Anselmo B. Adriano, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines
PDF

Industry Experience
Ms. Pamela Forshage, Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Philippines
PDF

Session 3: Use of NIPs, FOPs and Claims
NIPs, FOPs and Claims - Effects and Impacts
Prof. Jian Zhang, Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, China
PDF

Status of FOPs in the Region
Ms. Pauline Chan, ILSI SEA Region, Singapore
PDF

Session 4: Scientific Substantiation and Harmonization in ASEAN
Health Claims and Scientific Substantiation in SEA – Process and Key Learnings
Dr. E-Siong Tee, ILSI SEA Region, Malaysia
PDF

Fostering Harmonization of Labeling and Claims in ASEAN-Industry Perspectives
Mr. Kim Keat Ng, Coca-Cola Far East Limited, Malaysia
PDF