Singapore Allows Five Nutrient Health Claims

SINGAPORE—The decision by Singapore’s Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to allow food companies to use five nutrient-specific, diet-related health claims opens the door for greater innovation and research into healthy foods, according to international consulting firm EAS.

The claims include calcium/vitamin D for bone health; low sodium products and reduced risk of hypertension; low saturated/trans fats and reduced risk of heart disease; whole grains/fiber and reduced risk of heart disease; and whole grains/fiber and reduced risk of some cancers. Companies must first be approved by HPB to carry its “Healthier Choice” symbol, and then can gain the OK to use the health claims.

Daniel Tsi, regional director of EAS’s Asia operations, based in Singapore, said: “This set of diet related health claims from Singapore is the first in Southeast Asia, a major step forward in opening up the use of health claims for food products based on scientific evidence. The idea is to prevent misuse of the health claims and also for food industry to play a role in addressing main public health issues like high blood pressure, sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables. This will be a good incentive for companies to develop new and innovative healthy food products.”