Positive Lists Health Claims: A Tool to Reduce Time and Costs and Accelerate Health Product Development

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Positive Lists Health Claims: A Tool to Reduce Time and Costs and Accelerate Health Product Development

วันที่เผยแพร่ 25 June 2026

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Today, consumers are looking beyond “health products”—they are seeking credibility backed by scientific evidence. This presents an important opportunity for Thailand’s future food industry to transform locally sourced raw materials into active ingredients and extracts, and further develop them into high-value future food products that meet consumer needs while complying with relevant scientific and regulatory standards.

NXPO, together with its partners—including the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), The Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMU-C), Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA), Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA), National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), Board of Trade of Thailand, Thai Future Food Trade Association, and other relevant agencies—is advancing the Positive Lists Health Claims mechanism. The lists identify health claims for various active ingredients that are supported by scientific research and reviewed by relevant authorities.

The Positive Lists provides enterprises with a practical reference for product development, business planning, and preparation for regulatory approval. The tool can reduce research costs by up to 70% and potentially shorten the time required to bring products to market from approximately 2 years to as little as 2 months. It also helps Thai businesses transform local raw materials and active ingredients into high-value products more efficiently.

Four simple steps to use the Positive Lists

1. Check the active ingredients in the product

Verify whether the active ingredients used in the product—such as inulin, cocoa flavanols, or FOS—are included in the Positive Lists.

2. Check the health claims

Select and use the health claims specified in the lists to ensure that claims made for the product are accurate and comply with applicable regulations.

3. Check all health-claim conditions

The product must contain the specified active ingredients at the required levels. In addition, five key nutrients must be checked to ensure that they remain within the specified limits:

Total fat: less than 13 g.

Saturated fat: less than 4 g.

Cholesterol: less than 60 mg.

Sodium: no more than 300 mg.

Sugar: less than 13 g.

4. Use the claims on the product label

Once all requirements have been met, the approved health claims can be used on product labels and in marketing communications in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Active ingredients currently ready for further development include cocoa flavanols, green tea catechins, lutein–zeaxanthin, and beta-glucan from oats or barley.

The Positive Lists reflect the “From Science to Shelf” concept, connecting research with business and enabling the benefits of Thai raw materials to be transformed into accessible products for consumers

NXPO and its partners plan to expand the Positive Lists to cover 150 health claims, supporting more than 1,800 enterprises in applying knowledge and research to develop high-value agricultural and food products. The initiative is also expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Thai businesses in global markets. The Positive Lists are announced under the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health No. 447, Re. Health Claims Made on Food Labelling. Click here or scan QR code.