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SPECIAL TALK BY FIRN

Innovation of Functional Food

& Health Claims Navigation

In past several years, the food industry has particular
interested in health food business as the consumers
want to have the best of health and void of diseases.
Thai’s also have the traditional beliefs that local and
indigenous food components, mainly herbs and
spices, can cure diseases. Microorganisms (such as
probiotics) and some peptides from animal sources
could potentially have special functional effects.
Consumption of such food could prolong live and

prevent deadly diseases.

Functional foods are food that contain some specific bioactive review and decide on the submitted requests for health claims
components beyond their regular nutritional compound and they have approval; its process is complex taking a very long time to process
been scientifically proven to influence tissue, organs or body functions and often viewed as not clear, hard to follow-up on and take too long
or physiology in such a way that the functions are well managed in the business world. FDA is perhaps the only government body which
reducing the risk of diseases. For example, poly-unsaturated fatty protects consumers making sure all food approvals are effectively
acids (omega-3 fatty acids) have been shown to improve the brain cleared for safety. In addition, evidence documentation that are used
development of infants. to support the health claims can be complicated and may take
Health food business can be categorized in several aspects with sometimes to put together in ways that satisfy the FDA’s documentation
wide varieties. Functional and health food product developments is requirements. This is necessary so that reviewers have all necessary
not an easy task and it would take a serious series of scientific research and relevant information. Knowing what the process is, documents
in order to accomplish end results adequate or ready for filing for that maybe required, and the amount of time and resources needed,
regulatory health claim petition. should be necessary in the innovation process.
Results, in order to be approved, need to be accompanied by all It is understandable that high valued health food products are
comprehensive scientifically sound evidence in support of both safety attractive for profitable business. Under the national policy in driving
and the claims targeting specific consumer groups or species of disruptive technology, no doubt business and research interests in
commercial intent. As food law of each country depends on its food health claimed food products have been escalated. To support future
policy as well as customary practice according to the way the innovation of food, some basic description of the process and basic
government may choose to reinforce rigorously (or not). As the Food criteria and roadmap are;
and Drug Administration (FDA) is the authoritative body to receive,

24 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND OCT 2018