Evaluation of Policy to Reduce Sugar Consumption among Thai Children

MR# 286 forbids extrinsic sugar in the follow on formula, and requires warning label “No sugar, honey, or any other sweeteners should be added, because it might cause tooth decay and obesity in infants and small children.” Objectives: To evaluate after the MR # 286 has implemented.

Methods: Data were collected in 2 parts. Firstly, the information of powder milk distributed in the domestic market, collected from two major department stores. Secondly, a survey of milk consumption in young children using a set of questionnaires and pictures of labels of milk powder brands.. The respondents were 3,602 parents of 6 – 36 months-old children.

Results: No follow on formula milk in the market had extrinsic sugar added. The survey of milk consumption revealed 79.9% of children fed with non-sugar-added milk, 23.1% of which is infant formula, while 30% is follow on formula, and 26.6% is natural-flavor whole milk formula. Most of the customers read labels before they purchase. As for the parents, 58% have seen the warning on the labels, 98.9% do not add sugar to the milk, and 78.4% realized that sugar-added milk is harmful for their children's oral health.

Conclusion: The number of target children that consume sugar-added milk powder has decreased from 40% in 2004 to 20.1% in 2007. The implementation of public policies for health helps the people to have healthier habit more easily, and benefit all children as a whole, not only some particular group.