Department to roll out new standard for sugar in drinksListen to this articleThe Department of Health (DoH) is set to introduce a new national standard for made-to-order drinks, as part of a broader effort to curb the nation's sugar intake and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Dubbed "Normal Sweetness = 50% Sweetness", the guideline seeks to cut the amount of sugar in a "normal" drink order to about 50% of the current standard, according to DoH director-general Amporn Benjapolpitak. Dr Amporn said the guideline is ready for implementation, with the department aiming to officially launch the initiative on Feb 11. The decision followed a Jan 15 meeting that was held to finalise the implementation mechanisms to ensure the new standard is consistently adopted across the country. Dr Saipin urged consumers to keep an open mind and try less sweet beverages, while calling on businesses nationwide to adopt the new standard.
