Background
In Asia, and elsewhere in the world, there is great interest in the potential health significance of foods containing healthful components that are believed to promote general well-being or even reduce the risk of chronic diseases – the functional foods. Consumers striving for a healthy lifestyle are drawn towards functional foods. The growing market for functional foods in the region attracts food and pharmaceutical industries to fund research and product development. At the same time, governments concerned with rising healthcare costs are evaluating the potential benefits of these foods, and actively support research and product development using new functional food components or indigenous plants and plant components.
While there has been considerable research on the scientific basis for the health-enhancing properties of some functional foods, more research is still needed to establish the safety, efficacy and quality of these foods, and to ascertain the physiological effects and efficacy of disease prevention. Issues related to health claims substantiation and labeling also need to be resolved.
To this end, the Task Force focuses on the following areas:
- Functional Foods Status and Issues in Asia
- Guidelines for Scientific Substantiation of Health Claims
- Guidelines for Safety Evaluation of Functional Foods
- Protocol for Evaluation of Known Biomarkers
An Expert Consultation on Functional Foods was organized by the Task Force and the Branch in December 2005. Key issues addressed include the Asian position on functional foods, guidelines on scientific substantiation for nutrition and health claims for functional foods, as well as guidelines for safety evaluation of functional foods.
Objectives
The Task Force seeks to:
- Support and disseminate scientific information on functional foods and ingredients;
- Identify biomarkers for health and diseases in the region and evaluate the impact of selected functional foods on these biomarkers;
- Disseminate the scientific criteria for establishing health claims of functional foods through the use of appropriate biomarkers;
- Facilitate a harmonized science-based approach towards defining and the criteria on claims of functional foods within the region and with the international community; and
- Facilitate the development of safety assessment framework for functional foods/ingredients.
Activities Undertaken
- Workshop series on Functional Foods
- Publication of Monograph on “Functional Foods in Asia: Current Status and Challenges” (2004)
- Expert Consultation on Functional Foods, December 5-6, 2005, Singapore
- Symposium on Health Claims Substantiation, April 27, 2006, Australia
- Seminar on "Promoting Better Understanding of Nutrition Claims in Malaysia", May 16, 2006, Malaysia
- Symposium on Functional Foods: Benefits on Regulatory Aspects, May 17, 2006, Philippines
Upcoming Activities
- 3rd Asia Region Workshop on Functional Foods and Scientific Basis of Health Claims, July 18 2006, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Consumer Survey on Understanding of Functional Foods, Collaborating with AFIC – on-going
- Publication of Guidelines on Scientific Substantiation and Safety Evaluation of Functional Foods, 3rd Quarter, 2006
- Development of Database of Functional Foods and Regulations in the Region, 4th Quarter, 2006
Publications
Monograph on Functional Foods in Asia: Current Status and Issues
Contact Person
Ms Pauline Chan
Scientific Program Manager
ILSI Southeast Asia Region
1 Newton Road, Goldhill Plaza
Podium Block #03-45
Singapore 308899
Tel: (65) 63525 220
Fax: (65) 63525 536
Email: paulinechan@ilsisea.org.sg