Companies and regulators from Asia’s food and nutrition sector met in Singapore this week for an informative tour of nutrition and health claims regulations in Asia, the European Union (EU) and the United States (US).

The morning seminar, which took place on Tuesday June 10 at the Singapore Management University, focused on key developments in the field of nutrition and health claims in the ASEAN countries, as well as China and Taiwan; and highlighted the main differences between the EU’s nutrition and health claims regulation and the current regulations in the US.

Speakers Daniel Tsi, Regional Director of EAS Asia (the Asian office of Brussels based food and nutrition policy consultancy EAS), and Patrick Coppens, EAS expert on European Food Law, led the interactive seminar which drew a full house, including regulators from Singapore’s Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute. The event was organised by EAS.

Dr Tsi said: “The key to success is to fully understand the different national regulations and develop a strategy that is focused on addressing the requirements in a scientific and credible way. International standards, such as those of Codex Alimentarius, and experience from other parts of the world may be helpful to develop solid and sustainable claims that are applicable and defendable in most countries.”

Echoing his point Mr Coppens explained: “The questions on how to regulate claims are the same in all countries, but the solutions may differ substantially. Those countries that are starting to develop or adapt their claims regulations could find it useful to look at the experiences of countries which have gone through the process already.”

Dr Tsi and Mr Coppens gave useful advice on how to develop regulatory strategies for the successful marketing of claims in the ASEAN region. They explored standards for the scientific justification of health claims and addressed aspects that should be considered for the correct marketing and communication of health claims in line with legal requirements and consumer expectations.

Dr Tsi said: “The regulatory challenges in the ASEAN region are important, with countries using different definitions, product classifications and regulatory approaches for claims. The current regulatory harmonisation exercise that the ASEAN countries are engaged in to create a free movement of goods also in the field of claims for health supplements is therefore of major importance to promote research and innovation in this sector.”

ENDS

EAS provides strategic consulting advice on European, Asian and international regulation on food and nutritional products. It provides companies with regulatory and strategic advice for the marketing and approval of their products in Europe and Asia. EAS also advises governments, trade associations and companies on the impact of European, Asian and global policy.

EAS has offices in Brussels, Italy and Singapore. EAS Italy is a branch of EAS Europe located in northern Italy to follow EFSA developments in Parma closely.

For more information on EAS Europe contact EAS, 50 Rue de l’Association, 1000 Brussels, tel: (+32) 2 218 14 70, email [email protected] or visit www.eas.eu For information on EAS Asia contact EAS Strategic Advice Pte Ltd, 3 Killiney Road, 07-04 Winsland House I, Singapore 239519, tel: (+65) 68 38 12 70, email: [email protected] or visit www.eas-asia.com