The claims relate to calcium, vitamin D, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, fibre and dietary fibre, and products must meet nutrient profiling criteria if they are to utilise the ‘Healthier Choice’ symbol.
The claim approvals should encourage healthy food research and development in the area, said Brussels-based nutrition policy consultancy, European Advisory Services.
“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,” said EAS Asia regional director, Daniel Tsi.
“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.”