Department of Health joins IMPACT to raise Thai awareness of healthy eating and drinking habits.

Published : 2023-02-10

The Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, together with IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd., signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a healthy menu and beverages with 5% sugar reduction to promote healthy eating and drinking habits among Thais, especially working-age people, and also launch Ease Café by IMPACT, which serves healthy food and beverages under the supervision of DOH Kitchen to changeThai’s consumption behavior toward sustainable health.

At the signing ceremony of the MOU on the development of a healthy menu and beverages with 5% sugar reduction and the launch of EASE Café by IMPACT @DOH Kitchen, Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, Director–General of Department of Health, said that it was very important to raise Thai people’s awareness of their eating and drinking behaviors, especially the working-age population who are the key driving forces of economic and social growth. However, it was found that their poor eating habits have led to their health problems.

The data from Thailand’s 6th National Health Examination Survey 2019 - 2020 by the Health Systems Research Institute showed that among working-age people who are 15 years old and over, only 36.43% had a body mass index (BMI) within the normal range. Additionally, the prevalence of obesity was 37.50%, 8.90% had diabetes, and 27.70% had high blood pressure. Therefore, the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health is determined to develop a healthy menu to promote public knowledge and understanding of how to choose a nutritious diet as well as encourage eateries at hotels or workplaces, food stalls, street food vendors, department stores, and other restaurants to prepare clean, safe, and healthy food based on the nutrition standards issued by the Bureau of Nutrition, Department of Health.

“The Department of Health has also partnered with IMPACT to develop a healthy menu and beverages with 5% sugar reduction at IMPACT restaurant chains that many people visit daily. Besides a selection of healthy food and drinks from these restaurants, a new healthy café called EASE Café by IMPACT @DOH Kitchen will also be opened. IMPACT’s prototype shop completely follows the guideline of a healthy menu and beverages with a 5% sugar reduction to provide the Ministry of Public Health staff and the general public with healthy food and drinks. The menu includes green salad with boiled tofu in soy sauce and tofu dressing, brown rice topped with roast pork and Chinese broccoli, brown rice with young peppercorn chili paste, and herb-marinated chicken breast, ”said the Director-General of the Department of Health.

Mr. Paul Kanjanapas, Chief Executive Officer of Bangkok Land Public Company Limited, on behalf of IMPACT Exhibition Management Company Limited and the management of IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani, said that IMPACT provides venues for events and catering services under IMPACT Catering and a group of 19 brands of more than 30 restaurants in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Customer satisfaction is one of the company’s priorities. As a result, they are determined to offer food and beverages that taste good and focus on consumers’ health by selecting great ingredients and offering a variety of menu items, including healthy dishes and drinks, as an add-on service to promote their health and wellness.

The collaboration includes the development of a healthy menu as part of the catering services of IMPACT Catering and IMPACT restaurant group, and the launch of EASE Café by IMPACT @DOH Kitchen to provide healthy food and beverage services certified by the Bureau of Nutrition, Department of Health to ensure that the staff at the Ministry of Public Health and the general public have an option of getting healthy food and beverages. It marks the first health-conscious café that selects premium organic ingredients, with a cozy atmosphere in white and green tones in an area of 50 square meters that can seat up to 20 people. Apart from three recommended and certified healthy menu items, other appetizers include healthy crepes, organic salads, sandwiches, and various hot and cold drinks. Healthy boxed lunches can also be ordered for meetings, seminars, and special events. The café is located at DOH Kitchen in front of Building 4 next to the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health canteen. It is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“IMPACT is delighted to take part in developing a healthy menu and beverages with 5% sugar reduction. We have confidence in the Department of Health, with the Bureau of Nutrition in charge of the country’s nutrition. This partnership allows IMPACT to add a healthy food and drink menu to meet customer needs. This is also an important collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve health-related quality of life for Thai people. With our commitment to sustainable business operations, IMPACT is pleased to help with this campaign to raise Thai people’s awareness of healthy eating and drinking habits,” said Paul.