Bringing you the latest science, events, publications and news from ILSI SEA Region.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SPOTLIGHT on SODIUM
Science Symposium on ReThink Sodium: Science, Behavior, Guidance and Solutions for Public Health
28 April 2026, Singapore
Excessive sodium intake is a major contributor to non-communicable diseases, posing a significant public health challenge worldwide. Despite recommendations and interventions to reduce intake, many populations, including those in Southeast Asia, continue to exceed advised levels.
This 1-day in-person symposium in Singapore will provide insights into sodium in the diet — from intake data and key dietary sources to cultural consumption patterns in Southeast Asia — while highlighting practical approaches to reduction through public health strategies, behavior change, and consumer insights. Discussions will also highlight industry innovations and collaborative pathways forward. Researchers are invited to present their work through E-Posters.
Science Symposium on Sodium and Health
26 May 2026, Manila, Philippines
As dietary patterns continue to evolve, excessive sodium intake among Filipinos remains a growing public health concern and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases. This 1-day symposium organized by the Philippine Country Community of ILSI SEA Region, in collaboration with the Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (NDAPF, Inc.), aims to bring together distinguished experts and key stakeholders to share diverse perspectives on sodium intake and its implications for health. Through sessions on sodium health and science, consumer insights, and industry perspectives, the symposium aims to bridge science and practice while fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to address one of today’s key nutrition challenges.
RECENT EVENTS
Advancing Women’s Health and Nutrition in LMICs
5 - 6 March 2026, Singapore
ILSI SEA Region, in collaboration with the Global Centre for Asian Women’s Health (GloW), National University of Singapore, convened a closed-door, in-person workshop aimed at strengthening scientific collaboration on women’s health and nutrition in ASEAN low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The workshop brought together invited representatives from Lao PDR and Cambodia to facilitate meaningful discussions and shared key learnings on health issues in LMICs, specifically, women’s health issues and the state of nutrition among women in the respective countries. It also provided a platform to identify relevant and common goals to address health challenges faced in these countries, and explore a collaborative, bi-directional exchange of capabilities.
Vitamin D and Health
9 – 10 February 2026, Singapore
ILSI SEA Region, together with leading academic and research partners in Singapore, convened 2 scientific events highlighting the evolving evidence on vitamin D and its implications for public health.
A Guest Lecture on “Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease: What is the Latest Science?” was held on 9 February 2026 with the Department of Metabolism, Nutrition and Health at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), featuring Prof. Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa. He presented the latest science on vitamin D and cardiovascular disease, and its implications in Asia. Learn more here.
A Symposium on Enhancing the Design of Nutrient Clinical Trials for Disease Prevention: A Focus on Vitamin D and Health Outcomes was held on 10 February 2026, co-organized with the Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), A*STAR, and the Human Potential Translational Research Programme (HPTRP) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. Experts shared key insights on improving nutrient clinical trial design for disease prevention, focusing on vitamin D and related health outcomes. Learn more here.
Shaping a Healthier Digital Food Environment for Adolescents
12-14 December 2025, Malaysia
The UK-SEA Child and Nutrition (UK-SEA ChAN) Network, co-organized by ILSI SEA Region, Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), University of Leeds (UoL), University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM), and Khazanah Research Institute (KRI), with support from the British Council and Akademi Sains Malaysia (ASM), aims to empower nutrition undergraduates as Youth Changemakers by building their capacity in nutrition communication, digital advocacy, and leadership.
In this workshop, a total of 29 nutrition undergraduates were mentored by experts from nutrition, communication and multimedia backgrounds to co-create youth-friendly educational tools for addressing the challenges and opportunities within the digital food environment. The final showcase of their respective co-creation programme is scheduled on 16 April 2026.
Nutrition Labeling and Claims
23 September 2025, Malaysia
In collaboration with Food Safety and Quality Programme (FSQP), Ministry of Health, Malaysia, and Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM), ILSI SEA Region organized a 1-day Regional Seminar on Nutrition Labeling and Claims which provided updates on the latest developments in nutrition labeling, nutrition and health claims regulations, and front-of-pack labeling, with key insights from Southeast Asia and China. It was attended by about 190 participants, including regulators, researchers, health professionals, and industry stakeholders involved in food labeling and regulations, providing a valuable platform for scientific exchange and multistakeholder discussion on harmonization efforts and substantiation of claims. More information on the program and speakers are available here.
Microbiological Risk Assessment in Food Safety Management
27 October 2025, Indonesia
AAs part of ongoing regional initiatives to strengthen science-based food safety in Southeast Asia, ILSI SEA Region co-organised a workshop with the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) and South-East Asia Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFAST), IPB University, Indonesia that was held in Bogor in October 2025. The workshop featured global and regional experts who reviewed key issues in food safety and the application of Microbiological Risk Assessment (MRA) in food safety management. The latest developments in MRA science were highlighted alongside the practical aspects for implementing risk-based food safety practices, assisting public health officials involved in food safety, as well as food suppliers in all aspects of the food supply chain. More information on the program and presentations are available here.
NEWS FROM AROUND ILSI
New Publication! ILSI launches Global Perspectives on Nutrition
Global Perspectives on Nutrition is a brand-new open-access nutrition journal from ILSI and published by Oxford University Press. Focused on original research from a global perspective, the journal places strong emphasis on topics related to sustainability. The journal publishes original research, critical literature reviews, and perspectives on current and emerging topics in nutrition science, food science, clinical nutrition, and nutrition policy.
The journal is targeted at audiences that include nutrition scientists, biomedical researchers, clinical and dietetic practitioners, and advanced students of nutrition.
Articles selected for publication will be consistent with the journal’s mission and should clearly outline both the biological and practical nutritional implications of a timely topic, helping readers understand both the topic’s nature and relevance. Learn more here
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