Thai consumers want healthier food products: study

[webfact]

Thai consumers want healthier food products: study

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

Almost all consumers in Thailand (99 per cent) are interested in improving their diets while 82 per cent are happy for products to made healthier, provided that taste is not compromised.
 

The findings come from a new report by Food Industry Asia (FIA) and research firm IGD.

 

The first of its kind in Thailand, the report titled “Healthier Product Reformulation in Thailand” surveyed both consumers and food and beverage (F&B) businesses to better understand industry efforts on delivering improved nutrition through reformulation, as well as consumer behaviour and perception on products tweaked to become healthier.

 

Thailand is facing a double burden of poor nutrition and obesity, leading to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and heart disease, which are now the top cause of death among Thais. In light of this, the government and food industry have been working to improve the health of the population with efforts ranging from the clear display of nutrition information to physical activity action plans. However, the report indicated that product reformulation can support the health push without relying on any change of consumer behaviour.

 

FIA executive director Matthew Kovac said, “Thai food companies have been supporting the national health agenda through greater product innovation – 88 per cent of companies surveyed have embarked on reformulation to improve the nutritional value of their products and five per cent have already completed their plans, thus bringing about positive changes to the landscape in Thailand.”

 

The industry’s efforts are in sync with consumers’ receptiveness towards reformulated products, with eight in 10 agreeing that companies should be actively working on this. However, consumers remain unwilling to compromise on taste for health benefits, with 82 per cent of respondents indicating they would accept reformulated products only if the flavour was retained.

 

The increased demand for healthier products has led to strong commercial incentive for companies to invest in reformulation. However, the report also suggested government could play a greater role, as 82 per cent of companies felt that greater fiscal incentives would help encourage research and development (R&D) in healthy products.

 

“In order for us to accelerate the industry’s efforts, multi-stakeholder collaborations will be crucial in driving greater R&D activities for new product development and reformulation,” Kovac said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/business/30371363

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-19

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[marcusarelus]

Ha ha ha ha.  Can't write.  Laughing too much.

[robblok]

Why don't they start with regular checks for pesticides on fruits and vegetables with high fines for sellers and producers. That would help a lot for for sure after that they can fine tune things but I would say the pesticide problem is far more important than what is mentioned in this article.

[Changoverandout]

Banning deadly sprays would be a ‘healthy’ start 

“you beat me to it”

[gjoo888]

The government should educate Thais more on the dangers of sugar. Half my wife's family has diabetes, and although sugar may not be the sole cause of the diabetes, the amount of sugar Thais consume I'm sure is way over the daily allowance recommended by doctors and nutritionists. 

[Destiny1990]

Start banning toxic chemicals to be sprayed on local vegetables. 

[Fex Bluse]

27 minutes ago, gjoo888 said:

The government should educate Thais more on the dangers of sugar. Half my wife's family has diabetes, and although sugar may not be the sole cause of the diabetes, the amount of sugar Thais consume I'm sure is way over the daily allowance recommended by doctors and nutritionists. 

 

Sugar is arguably the most damaging ingredient in Thai food. While most find Thai food to be delicous, making it so is no secret, ancient wisdom.

 

The secret is food laced with sugar (and salt) and often fried. A perfect cocktail for disease. And, many of us westerners assume just because Thais are smaller than we are that they are healthy. 

 

As it turns out, not necessarily true. 

[Fex Bluse]

Another issue is that Thai food labels are too often very suspicious with their numbers. 

 

Front of product proclaims "Sugar Free", back has a bunch of sugar 

 

Front of product says "30g Protein", back lists "28"

 

For those of us who know the culture well and know the lackadaisical attitude toward safe and flexible relationship with truth - it's probably safe to assume that many Thai food labels are substantially incorrect 

 

... either through malice or incompetence 

[legend49]

Oh really thats why the building of 7/11 stores every 100 metres is about, add a few McDees and KFC and thats what Thai likes. Compare the pair; a Thai food hall versus a KFC shop. Another fake news story.

[geoffbezoz]

"Thailand is facing a double burden of poor nutrition and obesity, leading to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and heart disease, which are now the top cause of death among Thais."

 

As I said in another thread that is simply untrue. The highest cause of deaths in Thailand is cancer.

 

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/leading-causes-of-death-in-thailand.html

[Oziex1]

Banning pesticides isn't going to fly, like it or not they are necessary.

The issue here is the correct and responsible use of those substances.

Good luck with that.

[DrTuner]

I wonder if Thais would know what's healthy even if it was slapped on their face.

[robblok]

11 minutes ago, Benroon said:

A third organic farm has just opened up near me, so I'm guessing yes.

 

 

Just like foreigners you go Thais that are into exercise and health but they just like with foreigners are not a majority. I see a lot of Thais exercising in the park in front of my home.

 

So sure Thais know what is healthy but not all.. just like most foreigners here care more about beer then exercise and eating healthy. (Yes there are plenty of members who do exercise and eat healthy but I am sure there are more that don't)

[Tayaout]

I made my mother in law switch from vegetable oil to coconut oil as long as I pay. They think I'm nuts to pay 200 baht vs 20 baht. They all have diabetes and high pressure issues. I did not try to convince them to lower their sugar input yet but maybe with some luck they might like stevia. 

[Cake Monster]

3 hours ago, gjoo888 said:

The government should educate Thais more on the dangers of sugar. Half my wife's family has diabetes, and although sugar may not be the sole cause of the diabetes, the amount of sugar Thais consume I'm sure is way over the daily allowance recommended by doctors and nutritionists. 

I remember reading some time back, that Thailand is one of the top users of Sugar in the World.

If you took out all the Sugar from the product sold in 7/11 Stores,the shelves would be half empty.

 

[DrTuner]

30 minutes ago, Tayaout said:

They all have diabetes and high pressure issues. I did not try to convince them to lower their sugar input yet but maybe with some luck they might like stevia. 

And while at it try to wean them off MSG. Sodium causes high blood pressure. Good luck with that, aroooyyyy...5kg sugar with five cups of MSG is the daily minimum.

[Denim]

29 minutes ago, Tayaout said:

I made my mother in law switch from vegetable oil to coconut oil as long as I pay. They think I'm nuts to pay 200 baht vs 20 baht. They all have diabetes and high pressure issues. I did not try to convince them to lower their sugar input yet but maybe with some luck they might like stevia. 

Coconut oil has been getting some bad press recently. Apparently not as healthy as first thought.

 

Olive oil is still probably the best but not as good for frying ( which Thais like )

 

We still use rice bran oil for its higher flash point. A bit more expensive but better than palm oil.

It was once much praised but like coconut oil, subsequently fell from grace a bit.

[GreasyFingers]

Do you stop them eating Som Tam, pla ra, rats and all of the other natural foods.

[Eric Loh]

3 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

 

Sugar is arguably the most damaging ingredient in Thai food. While most find Thai food to be delicous, making it so is no secret, ancient wisdom.

 

The secret is food laced with sugar (and salt) and often fried. A perfect cocktail for disease. And, many of us westerners assume just because Thais are smaller than we are that they are healthy. 

 

As it turns out, not necessarily true. 

Watch the rice consumption especially white rice. A serving of white rice providing 90 grams of carbo will break down to about the same amount of sugar found in 22 teaspoons of sugar. 

[Jip99]

9 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

Do you stop them eating Som Tam, pla ra, rats and all of the other natural foods.

 

 

Nothing natural about rotted fish..

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

3 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

The secret is food laced with sugar (and salt) and often fried. A perfect cocktail for disease.

 

Yes, the Thais want healthier food, as long as it doesn't change the taste.

 

So, don't mess with my sugar, my salt, my MSG, my palm oil, my fermented fish sauce, my raw liver fluke fish, my Carnation condensed, sweetened milk, etc etc.

 

 

[GreasyFingers]

59 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

Nothing natural about rotted fish..

Entirely natural, no added preservatives apart from the natural ones that find their way into it.

[Tayaout]

1 hour ago, Denim said:

Coconut oil has been getting some bad press recently. Apparently not as healthy as first thought.

 

Olive oil is still probably the best but not as good for frying ( which Thais like )

 

We still use rice bran oil for its higher flash point. A bit more expensive but better than palm oil.

It was once much praised but like coconut oil, subsequently fell from grace a bit.

The US and my country Canada, heavily subsidise seed oils so I don't take study against coconut oil very seriously. Especially when you look how the different oil are made. Seed oils looks more like petroleum refinery. Coconut oil I can do in my backward. 

 

Personally, I use for cooking coconut oil, ghee and lard. For everything else butter, centrifuged virgin coconut oil and olive oil. 

[monkeycu]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Yes, the Thais want healthier food, as long as it doesn't change the taste.

 

So, don't mess with my sugar, my salt, my MSG, my palm oil, my fermented fish sauce, my raw liver fluke fish, my Carnation condensed, sweetened milk, etc etc.

 

 

Why do I get the impression you have seen too many Thai's cooking  

But seriously over used palm oil with the consistency of automobile grease is not high on health products

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 minutes ago, monkeycu said:

Why do I get the impression you have seen too many Thai's cooking  

But seriously over used palm oil with the consistency of automobile grease is not high on health products

 

Pretty much every street and soi in BKK has someone with their sidewalk trolley cooking in that manner.

 

[wisperone]

Coconut oil is highly saturated. The hype of it over the past 10 years was industry paying for positive stories online which highly boosted sales. Now the truth is coming out and sales are dropping sharply.

 

For frying, I only use water. I don't get the idea that you need oil. Water works fine for me. Once the food is on my plate, I will drizzle some olive oil for taste and adding some unsaturated fat.

 

Was always surprised at the sugary drink consumption of Thai kids. Coming from the west, I wasn't expecting that. It is sad to see because of the inevitable outcome from that addiction. Sugar is a highly addictive drug.

[madmen]

4 minutes ago, wisperone said:

now the truth is coming out and sales are dropping sharply

????

[Fex Bluse]

3 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Watch the rice consumption especially white rice. A serving of white rice providing 90 grams of carbo will break down to about the same amount of sugar found in 22 teaspoons of sugar. 

In my older age, I avoid rice whenever possible. But it does make eating Thai food a chore as so many dishes are designed for rice. 

[madmen]

4 minutes ago, Fex Bluse said:

In my older age, I avoid rice whenever possible. But it does make eating Thai food a chore as so many dishes are designed for rice. 

Substitute with veggies or omelette. Costs a few baht more but boiled rice is just a filler with big carbs and have a few beers with it and weight loss is impossible . Thais eat it but usually just a few spoons leaving most of it behind but farang wolf it down because it's good value.

[attrayant]

8 hours ago, robblok said:

Why don't they start with regular checks for pesticides on fruits and vegetables with high fines for sellers and producers. That would help a lot for for sure after that they can fine tune things but I would say the pesticide problem is far more important than what is mentioned in this article.

 

Your first sentence says they need to start checking for pesticide residues, presumably to see if there is a problem.  Your next sentence says there is a problem. Which is it?

 

I don't disagree that chemical farm inputs need to be managed, monitored, regulated, etc.  But I think there is already an agency responsible for this, isn't there?  

 

8 hours ago, Changoverandout said:

Banning deadly sprays would be a ‘healthy’ start “you beat me to it”

 

7 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Start banning toxic chemicals to be sprayed on local vegetables. 

 

Enough with the chemophobia.  As long as residues aren't excessive at the point of sale, the only people at risk from farming chemicals are the farmers themselves.  An outright ban of pesticides will result in more than 50% losses in crop yield.  A lot less fresh fruits & veggies at the supermarket - what do you think THAT will to do the health of the general population?  It'll be a lot worse that a few parts per million of atrazine on your veggies before you wash them. 

 

The following post is more realistic:

 

4 hours ago, Oziex1 said:

Banning pesticides isn't going to fly, like it or not they are necessary. The issue here is the correct and responsible use of those substances. Good luck with that.

 

Pesticides cost money. No farmer wants to spend the time and money applying pesticides unless they have a serious pest problem.  As pointed out, pest pressure is much greater in tropical ecosystems.  Applicators should be trained and licensed.  Investments should be made in crop varieties and cultivars that are naturally pest resistant, so little or no pesticide needs to be applied at all.  The right balance needs to be found between chemical defense levels and crop yield.  I agree with the conclusion reached by that poster: good luck with that.  I'm just dreading the day the whole "organic" food and "all natural" nonsense takes hold here.

 

Government needs to make capital investments in the farming sector, for both technology and educating the farmers.

 

As to the OP, consumers need to manage their intake of fats, oils, sugars (all types, not just granulated table sugar) and minerals.  Most people should probably be eating less and moving around more.  The mention of MSG is ridiculous because that substance appears in many food products naturally.  Cooks may add a few grams more, but if somebody has a personal problem with it, that's not a national issue.