TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛生福利部) announced plans on Monday (Jan. 5) to introduce a "traffic light" labeling system for food products to help citizens reduce sugar and sodium intake. The Health Promotion Administration (國民健康署) and the Food and Drug Administration (食品藥物管理署) are currently deliberating on the initiative, with implementation targeted for this year. The system aims to make it easier for consumers to identify salt, sugar, saturated fats, and calorie content in packaged foods.
The announcement comes as the Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act (營養及健康飲食促進法), in effect since January 2024, marks its two-year anniversary. The Health Promotion Administration has established 85 community nutrition promotion centers and deployed 164 dedicated nutritionists nationwide by the end of 2025 to make healthy eating more accessible. Liu Chia-hsiu (劉家秀), head of the Community Health Division at the Health Promotion Administration, emphasized excessive salt intake raises blood pressure and hypertension, while excessive sugar intake can lead to insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes.
Liu highlighted the high rate of dining out among Taiwanese people, leading to excessive consumption of salt, sugar, saturated fats, and calories that the labeling system aims to address. Last year, the Health Promotion Administration launched the "Nutrition and Healthy Diet Education Promotion Program," funding 32 innovative projects that engage children in learning about nutrition through experiential activities. Liu noted that the program brings nutrition education closer to real-life situations, helping people make healthier decisions about their daily food choices.
Ching-Fen Shen (沈靜芬), director general of the Health Promotion Administration, stated that nutrition is the cornerstone of health and a crucial factor in preventing chronic diseases. Shen emphasized the administration will continue to promote healthy eating through cross-field, interdepartmental, and interdisciplinary collaboration across Taiwan. The traffic light labeling system represents the latest effort in Taiwan's comprehensive approach to improving public health through dietary awareness and education. ◼
