ASEAN initiates measures to protect children from harmful foods, beverages

A virtual ceremony was held in Bangkok, Thailand, to launch instructions and basic stand­ards aimed at preventing the sale of food and alcoholic drinks harmful to children in the ASEAN region.

 

This initiative is developed to implement the ASEAN lead­ers’ declaration on the elimina­tion of malnutrition. The Union Minister for Health, Dr Thet Khaing Win, delivered a video message to the ceremony.

 

During the event, the Thailand Minister of Public Health also delivered an open­ing video message, and the EAPRO Regional Director of UNICEF gave a welcome speech. Following this, Health Ministers from ASEAN coun­tries delivered their respective opening speeches via video messages.

 

Union Minister Dr Thet Khaing Win expressed ex­pectations for future ASEAN strategies, statements, and di­rections within the framework and action plan on nutrition. Cooperation with respective authorities is emphasized to eliminate nutritional deficien­cies.

 

Then, nutritionists dis­cussed the practicality of di­rections, basic standards, and guidelines to protect ASEAN children from the sale of harm­ful foods and beverages. WHO representatives, nutritionists, and UNICEF officials also at­tended the ceremony. — MNA/ TRKM