Food manufacturers see 95% of their products affected by ‘restrictive’ nutrient thresholds

Title Food Manufacturers Sound Alarm 95% of Products Affected by Res
Restrictive Nutrient Thresholds

As the National Nutrition Council (NNC) considers implementing new nutrient
nutrient thresholds in its food classification system, food manufacturers i
in Asia are sounding a warning bell. A joint statement from Food Industry A
Asia (FIA) and the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI) h
highlights the potential impact on the industry 95% of products could be a
affected by these restrictive thresholds.

Here are the 5 Key Insights on food manufacturers' concerns

### I. The Impact of Restrictive Nutrient Thresholds

The proposed nutrient thresholds in Asia's new food classification system h
have sparked concern among food manufacturers. According to a joint stateme
statement from FIA and PCFMI, these restrictive thresholds could force re
reformulations and potentially raise consumer prices.

### II. Consequences of Product Reformulation

If the current nutrient threshold scheme is implemented, food manufacturers
manufacturers will be compelled to reformulate their products to meet the n
new standards. This could lead to changes in product taste, texture, and nu
nutritional profiles, which may not be well-received by consumers. Moreover
Moreover, reformulations can be costly and time-consuming, making it challe
challenging for small-scale manufacturers to comply.

### III. The Potential Rise of Consumer Prices

The proposed nutrient thresholds could lead to increased costs for food man
manufacturers, which may ultimately result in higher prices for consumers. 
This is particularly concerning for low-income households that already stru
struggle to afford healthy food options. As a consequence, some products mi
might become less accessible or even disappear from the market.

### IV. The Need for Flexibility and Collaboration

Food industry stakeholders are calling for flexibility and collaboration to
to ensure that the new food classification system balances consumer health 
concerns with business realities. A more nuanced approach could involve set
setting realistic targets while allowing for adjustments based on scientifi
scientific evidence and market feedback.

### V. Speculating on the Future of Food Manufacturing

As the debate surrounding nutrient thresholds continues, it's essential to 
speculate on the future of food manufacturing in Asia. Will manufacturers p
prioritize reformulations that meet stricter standards, potentially sacrifi
sacrificing profit margins? Or will they focus on developing innovative pro
products that cater to evolving consumer preferences and dietary needs?

In conclusion, the proposed nutrient thresholds pose significant challenges
challenges for food manufacturers in Asia. To address these concerns, indus
industry stakeholders must come together to develop a more sustainable and 
flexible approach that balances consumer health with business realities.

Keywords Food manufacturing, Nutrient thresholds, Product reformulatio
reformulation, Consumer prices, Food classification system, Asian food indu
industry

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.