Regional Seminar on Nutrition Labeling and Claims

Selangor, Malaysia
23/09/2025
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
M World Hotel Petaling Jaya (Formerly AVANTE Hotel)

ABOUT THE SEMINAR PROGRAM OUTLINE VENUE/ACCOMMODATION

ABOUT THE SEMINAR

As part of the series of seminars on nutrition labeling and claims organized by the ILSI Southeast Asia Region since 2001, this 1-day regional seminar will provide country-specific updates from both Southeast Asia and neighbouring regions on regulatory and policy developments in nutrition labeling, nutrition and health claims, and Front-of-Pack (FOP) labeling. It also offers a platform for scientific exchange among regulators, researchers, and stakeholders, highlighting the current efforts on harmonization and substantiation of claims.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Food industry personnel, food scientists, nutritionists, dietitians and health professionals, regulatory officers from different government departments and agencies, researchers and academicians

PROGRAM OUTLINE

VENUE/ACCOMMODATION

Download Programme

PROGRAMME AND SPEAKERS

08:20 – 09:00 hr (GMT+8) Registration

Welcome Address and Introduction

Puan Faridah binti Malik Shari, Deputy Director, Standards and Codex Branch, Food Safety and Quality Programme (FSQP), Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Mrs. Boon Yee Yeong, Executive Director, ILSI Southeast Asia Region, Singapore

Mrs. Boon Yee Yeong is the Executive Director of ILSI SEA Region, based in Singapore. ILSI SEA Region was established as a regional branch of the world-wide scientific-foundation ILSI in 1993, covering ASEAN and Australasia. Mrs. Yeong oversees the Branch’s operation, scientific programs and partnership activities, working closely with stakeholders from private sectors, leading academic institutions, international organizations and key government and health agencies throughout the vast geographical region. ILSI SEA Region facilitates programs that address pertinent nutrition, food safety and sustainability topics as well as issues for the improvement scientific decision for public health benefits.

Mrs. Yeong obtained her BSc and Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kings College (previously Queen Elizabeth College) University of London, and has over the past decades actively served to build scientific capacity and nutrition improvement for the target population in the region.

Dr. E-Siong Tee, Immediate Past President, Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM), Malaysia

Dr E Siong Tee is the Chair of the Southeast Asia Public Health Nutrition Network which comprised the Nutrition Societies of five key SE Asia Countries. He is currently a Nutrition Consultant for TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy. Dr. Tee was Head of the Cardiovascular, Diabetes and Nutrition Research Centre of the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, until his retirement in February 2002, after serving for 30 years. He was President of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) till March 2024. In this capacity, he has led the implementation of various community nutrition promotion programs including the Nutrition Month Malaysia program since 2002. He is also Vice-President of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS). Dr Tee is a member of several Technical Working Groups of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, including the committees related to Malaysian Food Regulations and Codex Alimentarius. He initiated the formation of the Southeast Asia Public Health Nutrition (SEA-PHN) Network in 2014 and is the current Chairman of the Network. Dr Tee is also Adjunct Professor of the International Medical University, Malaysia.

Dr E Siong Tee has been a Member of the Board of Directors of ILSI SEA Region since 1996 and Scientific Coordinator of ILSI Malaysia Country Committee since 2005.

Updates on Codex Committee on Nutrition and Food Labeling (CCNFSDU & CCFL)

Dr. E Siong Tee, Southeast Asia Public Health Nutrition (SEA-PHN) Network, Malaysia

Dr E Siong Tee has been a Member of the Board of Directors of ILSI SEA Region since 1996 and Scientific Coordinator of ILSI Malaysia Country Committee since 2005.

Updates on Nutrition Labeling and Claims Regulations in Southeast Asia and China

Session Chair: Dr. E-Siong Tee, ILSI Southeast Asia Region, Malaysia

Brunei Darussalam
Dr Ernina Rani, Health Promotion Centre, Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam

Dr Ernina Nisdzarinah Haji Abdul Rani is the Strategic Lead for Nutrition Policy and Programmes at the Health Promotion Centre and holds Deputy Chair for Obesity Taskforce at the Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam. She has led and contributed to national strategies and policies addressing noncommunicable disease prevention, health promotion, and public health advocacy — including the National Strategy for Salt Reduction Strategy and developing MOH Strategy for Obesity Prevention and Management.
She also serves as Secretariat for the Multisectoral Taskforce on Health and as a technical working group member of the Cross-Functional Team for Improving Brunei’s Food Environment. At the regional level, Dr Ernina is the ASEAN Health Cluster 1 Country Coordinator and Focal Point for Health Priority 7 on Promotion of Good Nutrition and Healthy Diet for Brunei Darussalam. Her work reflects a commitment to evidence-based policy, multi-sectoral collaboration, and creating supportive environments for healthier communities.

Indonesia
Ms Sofhiani Dewi, STP, M.Si, National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), Indonesia

Ms Sofhiani Dewi, STP., M.Si. is the Team Leader for the Standardization and Assessment of Certain Food Products, Foods for Special Dietary Uses, Claims, and Nutrition Labelling at the Indonesian National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology and Nutrition and a Master’s degree in Food Science from Institut Pertanian Bogor. Since joining BPOM in 2006, she has held various leadership roles, including Head of Section for Standardization of Genetically Engineered and Irradiated Foods and Head of Section for Standardization of Certain Food Products.

Malaysia
Ms Norazlinda binti Zainal Abidin, FSQP, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Norazlinda Binti Zainal Abidin is a Senior Assistant Director and Nutritionist with the Food Safety and Quality Programme, Ministry of Health Malaysia. She holds a degree in Nutrition and Health Community from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Before joining the Food Safety and Quality Programme, she served as a Nutritionist with Klinik Kesihatan Dalat, Sarawak, where she gained valuable experience in community nutrition and public health services.
Her current portfolio centres on the development of food safety standards mostly related to nutrition, including drafting national interventions for the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) and aligning Malaysia’s legislation with Codex standards. She is also actively engaged in ASEAN-level initiatives, contributing as part of the Secretariat of the ASEAN Committee on Harmonisation of Prepared Foodstuff Standards (ACHFPS). In addition, she is involved in the formulation of policies on nutrition labelling and nutrition claims.
Myanmar
Dr Pyei Phyo, Food Control Section, Department of Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health, Myanmar

Dr. Pyei Phyo holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and currently serves as Director of the Food Control Section, Department of Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health, Myanmar. He previously worked as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Medicine for 7 years, Assistant Director at the Department of Medical Science for 3 years, and Regional Food and Drug Control Officer in Ayeyarwady Region for 7 years.

In addition, Dr. Pyei Phyo has worked as a freelance biostatistician, providing statistical expertise for 13 Master’s theses and three Doctoral dissertations in biomedical and food safety fields. His research portfolio includes 3 publications as Principal Investigator, 4 publications and 1 conference poster as Co-Investigator.

10:30 – 10:45 hr Q&A
10:45 – 11:05 hr Morning Tea Break

Updates on Nutrition Labeling and Claims Regulations in Southeast Asia and China (Cont'd)

Philippines
Ms Givinia Tuason, Center for Food Regulation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Philippines

Ms. Givinia Tuason is a Senior Evaluator holding the position of Food-Drug Regulation Officer III at the Licensing and Registration Division, Center for Food Regulation and Research, Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ms. Tuason has been with the Philippine FDA for 11 years. She is responsible for quality assurance of evaluation of applications for product registration to secure Certificate of Product Registration, a market authorization document required prior to importation, distribution, sale of processed pre-packaged food products in the Philippines. In addition, Ms. Tuason is also a technical expert in the evaluation of product registration requirements and procedures and labeling requirements of pre-packaged processed food products including food supplement.

In the past, she worked as an Administrative Dietitian in a reputable hospital and served as a Nutritionist –Dietitian II under the Urban Health and Nutrition Project of the Department of Health. Ms. Tuason also joined the Updating National Survey on the Nutritional Status of Filipinos under the Food and Nutrition Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology. She graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Singapore
Ms Priscilla Li, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore

Ms. Priscilla Li works within the Policy and Strategy Development team in HPB. She leads pieces relating to Nutri-Grade and sugar reduction, maternal and child health, as well as food labelling and claims.
She is an accredited practicing dietitian and a certified nutrition support specialist. She received the Ministry of Health – Healthcare Manpower Development Award and obtained fellowship at Cambridge University Hospital and St Georges’ Hospital in the UK.

Thailand
Dr. Kotchaphon Manoonphol, Food Division Food and Drug Administration, Thailand

Dr.Kotchaphon Manoonphol is the Deputy Director of Food Division at Thai Food and Drug Administration. With over 25 years of experience in the food regulatory, she specialized in the field of nutrition. With this extensive experience in the regulatory, she has been responsible for analyzing, planning and developing policies for food security and safety as well as promoting nutrition awareness with consumers and business operators by fostering collaboration among stakeholders throughout the food chain. She is passionate about nutrition and functional food and has been involved in promoting health-conscious society by matching the interest of regulators, consumers and businesses.

Vietnam

Dr Tran Khanh Van, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Vietnam

Dr. Tran Khanh Van is Head of the Micronutrient Department at the National Institute of Nutrition. Dr. Van served as a focal point for food fortification programs and the SBN network (Scaling Up Nutrition Business network). During her professional career of more than 30 years, she has been involved in numerous research and community educational projects focusing on nutrition communication and education, micronutrient deficiency, food fortification, and nutrition labelling emphasizing information on overweight and obesity control. She is also a member of the core group to develop important nutritional policies such as National Strategies for Nutrition and the National Plan of Action for Nutrition, nutrition labelling, Nutrition reference intakes. Dr. Van received her M.D. in Hanoi Medical School and completed her M.S. in Public Health at the University of Massachusetts, USA. She achieved her PhD in nutrition at both University of Massachusetts, USA and the National Institute of Nutrition, in Vietnam.

China
Dr Dong Liang, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, China

Dr. Dong Liang is a medical doctor and Associate Research Fellow at the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), where she serves as Deputy Director of the Division of Applied Nutrition I. Her research focuses on the development, implementation, and international coordination of food standards, with a particular emphasis on nutrition labeling, infant formula, and foods for special dietary uses.

She has played a key role in drafting and revising national food safety standards, including those related to infant formula and foods for special medical purposes. Dr. Liang also contributes to the development of Codex Alimentarius standards and actively supports the implementation of China’s national nutrition strategies, such as the Healthy China Initiative (2017–2030).

Dr. Liang has led or participated in numerous national and international research projects and has authored over 50 scientific publications. Her work aims to strengthen the regulatory framework for food labeling and improve the safety and nutritional quality of specialized food products. She has received multiple national awards recognizing her contributions to food safety and nutrition science.

12:25 – 12:40 hr Q&A
12:40 – 13:40 hr Lunch

Harmonization of Nutrition Labeling Regulations in ASEAN - Current Status

Ms Norlida Zulkalfy, Standard & Codex Branch, Food Safety and Quality Programme, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Ms. Norlida Zulkafly is a Nutritionist and currently appointed as the Section Head, for Special Food Group Section in the Food Safety and Quality Programme, Ministry of Health. She obtained her degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2002. She began her career as nutritionist in a pharmaceutical and health industry for three years before joining Ministry of Health as Nutritionist in 2005.

Ms. Norlida has been involved with several expert committees namely Expert Committee on Nutrition, Health Claims & Advertisement and Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU). Her field of interest includes nutrition labelling and food standards development.

Industry Perspectives on Nutrition Labeling and Claims

Session Chair: Ms. Pauline Chan, ILSI Southeast Asia Region, Singapore

Ms. Pauline Chan is the Director of Scientific Programs for ILSI Southeast Asia Region, a global scientific organization that seeks to improve public health through the advancement of science in the areas of nutrition and food safety. ILSI SEA Region is headquartered in Singapore and covers the 10 ASEAN countries, Australia and New Zealand. Pauline has extensive experience in developing scientific programs and facilitating dialogue between scientists, government regulators, and industry to address regional and international issues in nutrition, food safety, sustainability and health. A frequently invited resource speaker at conferences and seminars, Ms. Chan is a registered dietitian (RD) with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Ms. Chan received her M.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University, USA, and her B.Sc. in Chemistry from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Application of Nutrition Labeling and Claims: Industry Perspective
Ms Debbie Wang, Suntory Beverage and Food Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore

Ms. Debbie Wang is a Director, Scientific Regulatory Affairs, in Suntory Beverage & Food Asia (SBFA). She holds a degree in Food & Nutrition, and a MSc. in Healthcare Management from the University of Wales, United Kingdom.

Ms. Wang developed her career in scientific regulatory affairs through 30+ years of services in health supplements and food industry. She works closely with Food & Health Supplements regulators in the Asia Pacific region on various regulatory projects.

Ms. Wang also plays a very active role in Health Supplements Industry Association Singapore (HSIAS) and ASEAN Alliance of Health Supplement Associations (AAHSA) - both of which involve extensive work in harmonization of health supplements technical guidelines in ASEAN.

Ms Mei Yee Wang, Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore

Ms. Wang Mei Yee is currently a Senior Manager, Compliance and Regulatory in Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pte Ltd. She holds a degree in Food Science & Nutrition.
Ms. Wang started her career as nutritionist and delve into regulatory & scientific field along the years. She has more than 15 years of regulatory experience in Food, Beverages and Health Supplement products across Asia Pacific contingent. She possesses a proven track record of successful collaborative work with various countries regulatory bodies, achieving new product development milestones.
She is actively involving herself in industry dialog to stay abreast with relevant knowledge and technical knowledge in the dynamic and ever evolving food and beverage landscape.

Industry Perspective on Nutrition Labeling and Claims
Ms Megawati Suzari, FMM Malaysian Food Manufacturing Group (FMM MAFMAG), Malaysia

Megawati Suzari is an accomplished leader in the fields of New Product Development (NPD) and Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, with extensive experience driving innovation and ensuring compliance in the highly regulated food and nutrition industry. As the Director of New Product Development, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for Malaysia and Singapore, she spearheads strategies that bridge cutting-edge science with consumer needs, ensuring products meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance.
Graduated from University of Wollongong, Australia with Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry and received Honorary Master of Science from University Putra Malaysia. With a strong background in nutrition science, product innovation, and regulatory frameworks, Megawati has played a pivotal role in launching numerous successful products across Southeast Asia.
Her role bridges the gap between science and market, overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of product innovation—from ideation and formulation to regulatory approval and market launch. She is known for her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes while driving innovation that meets both consumer needs and scientific standards.
Passionate about science-driven solutions and consumer well-being, Megawati actively engages in thought leadership, sharing insights on regulatory trends, product innovation, and the future of nutrition.

Front-of-Pack (FOP) Labeling and Health Claims: Recent Development

15:20 – 15:35 hr Q&A
15:35 – 15:55 hr Afternoon Tea Break

Panel Discussion: Moving Forward with FOP Labeling in SEA

Moderator: Ms Pauline Chan, ILSI SEA Region, Singapore

Ms Yen Nee Tan, Nutrition Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Ms Tan Yen Nee is a Nutritionist at the Ministry of Health Malaysia, currently serving with the Nutrition Division. She has nearly a decade of experience in the Industry Collaboration Sector, working closely with stakeholders from government, academia, and the food industry to advance national nutrition initiatives.

Her professional portfolio focuses on nutrition labelling and nutrient profiling as key policy tools to shape healthier food environments. Since 2015, she has played a key role in the preparation, implementation, and promotion of the Healthier Choice Logo (HCL) in Malaysia, which encourages product reformulation and guides consumers towards healthier choices. More recently, she has been actively involved in Malaysia’s adaptation of the Nutri-Grade labelling system, ensuring alignment with regional best practices and supporting consumer empowerment through transparent labelling.

In addition, she contributes to initiatives addressing unhealthy food marketing to children, collaborating with stakeholders across government, academia, industry, and international organizations, including the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila and WHO Europe, to strengthen food environment policies in Malaysia. She was also a contributing author of the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2020, specifically the section on sugars, aimed at reducing sugar intake and preventing non-communicable diseases.

Ms Sofhiani Dewi, STP, M.Si, National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), Indonesia

Ms Priscilla Li, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore

Mrs Susana STP, MSC, PD Eng, Technical Regulatory Affair Team, Indonesian Food and Beverage Industry Association (GAPMMI), Indonesia

Mrs Susana received her Bachelor Degree in Food Technology and Human Nutrition from Bogor Agricultural Institute, followed by a Master Degree in Agro Food and Bioprocess Technology in Wageningen University, The Netherlands. In 2004, she received her Professional Doctorate in Engineering degree in Bioprocess Engineering from Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.

She started her career in Nutrifood Indonesia as Research & Development Manager in 1999. She was appointed as the Head of Marketing Division in 2012, overseeing Brand Management Department, Nutrition Regulation Department, and Product Development Department.

Susana has been actively involved in GAPMMI specifically in Technical Regulatory Team since 2012.

Panel Discussion: Fostering Harmonization of Substantiation of Health Claims in SEA - Moving Ahead

Moderator: Dr E Siong Tee, SEA-PHN Network, Malaysi

Ms Norlida Zulkalfy, FSQP, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Ms Debbie Wang, Suntory Beverage and Food Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore

Dr Kanga Rani Selvaduray, Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysia

Dr. Kanga Rani Selvaduray obtained her PhD in Medical Health Sciences from the International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2011. She is currently the Head of Nutrition Unit at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). Dr. Selvaduray started her career at MPOB as a scientist studying the effects of palm oil and its phytonutrients in nutrition and health and her research team has a number of patents and several publications especially in the field of tocotrienols and breast cancer research. She then led the Lipid Nutrition Group focusing on lipid research before being appointed as the Head of the Nutrition Unit. She was awarded the Gold Medal for excellence in research by MPOB in 2001 and won the ITEX Gold Medal Award in 2006, 2015 and 2016, in addition to several awards for Best Publications by MPOB.
Dr. Kanga is actively involved in several National Regulatory and CODEX Committees as well as a Member of the Expert Working Committee for Food, Health Claims and Advertising under the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. She also has served as a member of the Scientific Committee of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) from 2022 to 2024.