National Nutrition Labeling and Claims Seminar

Hanoi, Vietnam
15/11/2024
9:00 am – 3:15 pm
Pan Pacific Hanoi

Background

Since 2001, ILSI Southeast Asia Region has facilitated a series of seminars and workshops across Southeast Asia for regulators, researchers and scientists, and relevant food industry personnel from the region to address critical issues surrounding nutrition labeling and claims.
This upcoming 1-day seminar will provide the latest developments in nutrition labeling regulations in Vietnam and the ongoing harmonization efforts across ASEAN. Key topics include ASEAN Nutrition Labeling Guidelines, Nutrient Reference Values (NRV), Nutrition Information Panels (NIP), and tolerance limits. The seminar will also provide updates on nutrition and health claims, including the criteria and scientific substantiation.

KEY TOPICS

Development and Key Considerations on Nutrition Information Panel (NIP)
Status and Developments on Nutrition Labeling and Claims Regulations in Vietnam
ASEAN Nutrition Labeling Guidelines and Harmonization of Nutrient Reference Values
Updates on Harmonization Efforts on Tolerance limits in ASEAN
Nutrition Claims in SEA Region: Current Status and Harmonization Efforts
Health Claims in SEA Region: Status, Criteria and Substantiation
Industry Perspective on the Application of Nutrition Labeling and Claims

PROGRAM AND SPEAKERS

8:30 – 09:00 Registration

Welcome and Opening Remarks

09:00 - 09:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Vietnam Food Administration (VFA), Vietnam
Ms Pauline Chan, ILSI SEA 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.

Development of Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) – Key Considerations

09:15 - 09:45 Development of Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) – Key Considerations
Dr E-Siong Tee, TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy, Malaysia

Dr E Siong Tee is currently a Nutrition Consultant for TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy, and Adjunct Professor of the International Medical University, Malaysia. He was Head of the Cardiovascular, Diabetes and Nutrition Research Centre of the Institute for Medical Research 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 programme since 2002. Dr Tee is also Vice-President of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS), and 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.

Current Status and Developments on Nutrition Labeling and Claims Regulations in Vietnam

10:20 – 10:40 Morning Break

Harmonization of Nutrition Labeling in ASEAN: Current Status and Progress

10:40 – 11:10 Harmonization of Nutrition Labeling in ASEAN: Current Status and Progress (ASEAN NL Guidelines and Harmonization of Nutrient Reference Values)
Ms Norlida Zulkafly, Food Safety and Quality Programme (FSQP), 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 Division, 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.

Efforts in Harmonization of Tolerance limits in ASEAN - An Update

11:10 – 11:30 Efforts in Harmonization of Tolerance limits in ASEAN - An Update
Dr E-Siong Tee, TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy, Malaysia

11:30 – 11:50 Discussion and Q&A
11:50 – 13:00 Lunch

Nutrition Claims in SEA Region: Current Status and Harmonization Efforts

13:00 – 13:25 Nutrition Claims in SEA Region: Current Status and Harmonization Efforts
Ms Pauline Chan, ILSI SEA Region, Singapore

Health Claims in SEA Region: Status, Criteria and Substantiation

13:25 – 13:55 Health Claims in SEA Region: Status, Criteria and Substantiation
Dr E-Siong Tee, TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy, Malaysia

Application of Nutrition Labeling and Claims: Industry Perspectives

13:55 – 14:25 Application of Nutrition Labeling and Claims: Industry Perspectives
Ms Debbie Wang & Ms Mei Yee Wang, Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore

Ms. Debbie (Wen Shiu) Wang, Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore

Ms. Debbie Wang is a Director, Compliance and Regulatory, in Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pte Ltd. She holds a degree in Food & Nutrition and a MSc. in Healthcare Management from the University of Wales, United Kingdom.
Ms. Wang develops her career in compliance & regulatory through 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 involve extensive work in supporting 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.