Harmonisation of Food Labelling Regulations in Southeast Asia: Benefits, Challenges and Implications

東南亞食品標示規範的一致化：利益、挑戰及關聯

William Kasapila ； Sharifudin MD Shaarani

《Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition》 20卷1期 (2011/03) Pp. 1-8

https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.2011.20.1.01

摘要

在趨向全球化的21世紀，食品及營養標示的議題是非常重要的。一些國際組織，包括世界衛生組織（WHO）和世界貿易組織（WTO），都鼓勵各國的食品和營養規範與國際標準、準則和建議（例如Codex Alimentarius）一致。透過一致化，這些組織預計可減少國家間貿易的壁壘、增加食品的自由移動，這有助於食品產業打開新的市場和機會。結果是，促進食品貿易有助於經濟發展，以及讓消費者有更多的選擇。然而，在一致化的過程中，不可避免地有成本支出及挑戰必須克服。此外，國家必須負責這些過程中複雜及零碎的任務，例如：制定新法、加強行政管理能力及建立分析實驗室。本文討論東南亞地區食品與營養標示的立法和規章，舉出不一致的地方及它們的來源和後果。同時也敘述這個地區當前對未包裝食物標示一致化的情形，並解釋對政府、食品產業和消費者的後續利益、挑戰和關聯。

關鍵字

食品產業 ； 包裝 ； 消費者 ； 健康宣稱 ； 營養

並列摘要

In the globalised world of the 21st century, issues of food and nutrition labelling are of pre-eminent importance. Several international bodies, including the World Health Organisation and World Trade Organisation, are encouraging countries to harmonise their food and nutrition regulations with international standards, guidelines and recommendations such as those for Codex Alimentarius. Through harmonisation, these organisations envisage fewer barriers to trade and freer movement of food products between countries, which would open doors to new markets and opportunities for the food industry. In turn, increased food trade would enhance economic development and allow consumers a greater choice of products. Inevitably, however, embracing harmonisation brings along cost implications and challenges that have to be overcome. Moreover, the harmonisation process is complex and sporadic in light of the tasks that countries have to undertake; for example, updating legislation, strengthening administrative capabilities and establishing analytical laboratories. This review discusses the legislation and regulations that govern food and nutrition labelling in Southeast Asia, and highlights the discrepancies that exist in this regard, their origin and consequences. It also gives an account of the current status of harmonising labelling of pre-packaged foodstuffs in the region and explains the subsequent benefits, challenges and implications for governments, the food industry and consumers.

並列關鍵字

food industry ； packaging ； consumers ； health claims ； nutrition