The Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) organized a major event to end the year, the Healthier Choice Expo, on December 19, 2025, at Impact Exhibition Hall 8, Muang Thong Thani, gathering leading health networks and entrepreneurs to promote behavior change by encouraging the reduction of sugar, fat, and salt. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Phatthana Phromphat, Minister of Public Health.

Mr. Phatthana Phromphat emphasized the urgency of the health situation in Thailand: “Today, we are facing a ‘silent disaster’ called Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), linked to the sweet, salty, and fatty foods we are familiar with. This issue not only affects the health of the Thai population but also impacts the economic stability and the public health system of the country, costing over 1.6 trillion baht annually. The government and the Ministry of Public Health are not just focusing on treatment, but rather we are committed to ‘proactive prevention’.”

“This event is not just an exhibition; it symbolizes the collaboration between the government, academic sectors, and private enterprises. Together, we are delivering a ‘better choice’ to the public. The Healthier Choice nutrition label serves as a guide for consumers to easily choose healthier foods amidst their busy lifestyles. I firmly believe that a small change in eating habits today, such as reducing sugar, fat, and salt, will be a significant step towards a healthier and more sustainable Thai society.”

Ms. Supattra Boonserm, the Secretary-General of the Thai FDA, shared that, “The incidence of NCDs, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, continues to rise due to unhealthy eating habits. The Thai FDA is advancing the use of the ‘Healthier Choice’ nutrition label, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, as a tool to help consumers easily select foods with appropriate levels of sugar, fat, and sodium, thereby simplifying the process of reading nutritional labels.”

During the opening ceremony, the Minister also presented awards to winners of the health product video competition, with 6 awards given to secondary school students and the general public, to encourage public participation in health communication.

The Healthier Choice Expo has already been held for three full days, packed with informative and entertaining activities, including:

• Healthier Market: Shop for Healthier Choice certified products at special prices.
• Healthier Choice Pavilion: A virtual exhibition opening up the world of modern health.
• Healthier Cooking: Watch healthy reciepe cooking demonstrations by renowned Chef Pruek from the Iron Chef program.
• Health Check-Up: Enjoy free basic health screenings and nutrition counseling.

“This event demonstrates that good health is achievable and practical. The Thai FDA hopes that it will be a starting point for Thais to take care of their health by reducing sugar, fat, and salt, while paying attention to nutritional labels and choosing products with the Healthier Choice certification to reduce the risk of NCDs and improve the quality of life for themselves and their families,” concluded the Secretary-General of the Thai FDA.

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Publication Date 19 December 2025