Healthy Logos Show Potential in Asia

With Asian countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia looking to counter obesity, authorities are increasingly considering the use of healthy-product logos, according to international food policy consultant EAS.

“The programs being discussed, implemented, and advanced in the region are comprehensive, and food and beverage companies should be monitoring activities in this area,” says EAS Asia food and health policy manager Levie Cequena.

“Significant numbers in Asian countries are now considered morbidly obese; therefore, most of the programs governments in the region are looking into are awareness and information campaigns on healthy lifestyles.”

Among the initiatives already in place, in Singapore, products that meet nutritional guidelines established by the country’s Health Promotion Board can carry a “Healthier Choice” symbol. So far, more than 2400 products carry the logo.

“Singapore leads the initiatives on healthy-choice symbols and has also created a variant of the Healthier Choice Symbol called the Healthier Snack Symbol,” Cequena says, stating that Malaysia will soon follow suit with plans to reintroduce a similar Healthier Choice symbol.

EAS says products carrying healthy symbols are generally lower in fat, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar, and that some are higher in dietary fiber and calcium.