Thailand to Introduce Salt Tax to Promote Healthier Eating

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In a progressive move towards improving public health, the Excise Department of Thailand aims to implement a salt tax this year. This initiative, supported by the Salt Reduction Network, targets reducing the consumption of sodium-rich foods and encouraging the production of healthier options.

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surasak Kantachuvessiri, president of the Salt Reduction Network, lauded the decision, citing international examples where similar measures have proven effective. In Hungary, for instance, a salt tax on snacks and seasoning sauces has effectively reduced the consumption of unhealthy foods by 20-35%. Consequently, around 80% of Hungarians now opt for products containing reduced sodium formulas, boosting their sales.

 

Other countries, including Mexico, Tonga, and Fiji, have also adopted sodium-based taxes, recognising that mere public education on reducing salt intake isn't sufficient. The focus instead is on adjusting consumer habits by altering the market dynamics.

 

In Thailand, fast foods, ready meals, processed foods, and snacks typically contain high salt levels, posing significant health risks such as increased non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and inflating medical costs. The salt tax, therefore, aims at lowering these levels not for revenue but to nudge manufacturers towards healthier recipes, with initial leeway in tax burdens to ease the transition.

 

The tax structure will be tiered, correlating with the sodium content in products, beginning with snacks that are popular among children and teenagers. This strategy targets changing consumption patterns from childhood, curbing lifelong salt dependence.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation's deputy manager, Dr. Pairoj Saonuam, highlighted alarming statistics. By World Health Organisation standards, sodium intake should not exceed 2,000 milligrams per day. Yet, average adult intake in Thailand stands at 3,636 milligrams daily, with children closely following at 3,200 milligrams.

 

Excessive salt consumption is linked to serious health conditions, with evidence showing earlier onset of NCDs. In Bangkok, 10% of students suffer from high blood pressure, while 14% are overweight, serving as stark warnings for immediate intervention.

 

To mitigate these risks, Dr. Pairoj urged the public to lower salt intake, supplementing diets with more fruits and vegetables—up to 400 grams daily—and engaging in at least 150 minutes of exercise per week.

 

The salt tax aims to reshape dietary habits long-term, with a focus on nurturing a healthier generation and reducing future healthcare burdens. As this initiative unfolds, its success could set a precedent for similar measures across the region, aligning closer with global health standards, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2025-03-04

 

 

[anchadian]

Fish, soy, oyster sauces are the real culprits together with snacks Mama noodles and the like.

[Gottfrid]

Hey! You heard it here first! The tax is not at all for anything connected to better health. It is 100% connected to filling the empty coffers.

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

Hey! You heard it here first! The tax is not at all for anything connected to better health. It is 100% connected to filling the empty coffers.

 

Totally agree.

One negative side effect will also be the increase in basic costs for Thai people.

If you think that the manufacturers and producers of the goods will not pass on the increased costs - think again.

Thais in restaurants will still put salt on their food.

 

I am on a salt free/sugar free diet and I really notice the difference when I eat out.

[Sydebolle]

Sugar is much too cheap otherwise all processed food would not substitute almost everything with sugar. 40 years ago you would only see lean young people, today you're confronted with fat ugly toads, fed from 7/11 and similar outlets opposite the school yards, hectolitres of slurpees and sugary drinks; only diluted by even cheaper ice. 

The entire society is going downhill in free fall into the abyss and nobody takes the food industry to accounts. Most restaurants, street food suppliers etc. use tons of MSG and sugar, all processed sauces in fancy bottles are coloured sugar sludges and that, combined with the literal absence of exercise will result in a very, very sick society part once those kiddies hit 50+ years of age. Health costs will explode and the average life expectancy will go down. 

It is amazing, what kind of words are used to substitute sugar on packagings and explanations by "food experts". 

Same stuff with salt, instead of seasoning with real fresh herbs, freshly crunched pepper etc. some heavy misuse of salt is today's order. 

[lordgrinz]

Every time I see these heavy handed government actions telling people what to put in their body, or not, it makes me think of the immortal words of Edgar Friendly:

 

Quote

You see, according to Cocteau's plan I'm the enemy, 'cause I like to think; I like to read. I'm into freedom of speech and freedom of choice. I'm the kind of guy likes to sit in a greasy spoon and wonder - "Gee, should I have the T-bone steak or the jumbo rack of barbecued ribs with the side order of gravy fries?" I WANT high cholesterol. I wanna eat bacon and butter and BUCKETS of cheese, okay? I want to smoke a Cuban cigar the size of Cincinnati in the non-smoking section. I want to run through the streets naked with green jello all over my body reading playboy magazine. Why? Because I suddenly might feel the need to, okay, pal? I've SEEN the future. Do you know what it is? It's a 47-year-old virgin sitting around in his beige pajamas, drinking a banana-broccoli shake, singing "I'm an Oscar Meyer Wiener".