Thailand is grappling with a surge in sugar consumption, reaching an alarming average of 23 teaspoons per day among its citizens, nearly quadrupling the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended daily limit, reported Thethaiger.
The revelation, presented by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), underscores a significant deviation from WHO’s guideline of six teaspoons per day.
Pairoj Saonuam, Assistant Chief Executive Officer at ThaiHealth, underscored the health risks associated with this heightened sugar intake during a recent announcement.
Sugary drinks emerged as the primary source of sugar in the Thai diet, prompting Saonuam to urge manufacturers to reduce the sugar content in their beverages. In a collaborative effort to address the issue, ThaiHealth has partnered with various organizations, including the Excise Department, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Public Health. Together, they have implemented a sugar tax under the Excise Act 2017, targeting drinks with elevated sugar content.
