Economy Thailand to Introduce "Salt Tax" to Spice Up Health Food Market

[webfact]

File photo

 

The Thai Excise Department prepares to launch a new "salt tax" using a tiered structure aimed at promoting healthier living. Following the successful implementation of the sugar tax on 1st April 2025, attention now shifts to reducing sodium intake among Thais. Industry players are keenly watching as the measure is set to transform beverage, snack, and food sectors, pushing for more low-sodium offerings.

 

The initiative promises to shift the market dynamics, with significant implications for consumer goods involving drinks, snacks, and instant noodles.

 

The tiered tax will incentivise manufacturers to innovate within low-sodium product lines to alleviate future tax pressures. This echoes the transformational ripple effect witnessed in the wake of the sugar tax, and is projected to accelerate growth in Thailand’s burgeoning health food sector.

 

Slated for roll-out soon, the tiered salt tax emerges as a focal point in Thailand's health-centric fiscal strategies. According to Kulaya Tantitemit, Director-General of the Excise Department, the new tax aligns with public health guidances and aims to reduce the alarmingly high sodium intake from around 3,600 mg currently consumed by Thais to the WHO-recommended limit of 2,000 mg.

 

This policy envisages minimal cost disruption for producers while steering consumer habits towards healthier alternatives.

 

Strategic consultations are ongoing with vital entities such as the Ministry of Public Health and the Federation of Thai Industries, seeking to fine-tune the policy to market realities. Key attention zones for the impending salt tax include high-sodium staples like instant noodles, snacks, and frozen foods, signalling manufacturers to brace for regulatory adjustments in these categories.

 

Essential daily foods, however, may receive adjusted guidelines to mitigate impacts on affordability and accessibility.

 

The salt tax will specifically target sodium content with appropriate measurement standards and thresholds determining tax levels, functioning similarly to the sugar tax.

 

As the plans take shape, stakeholders from public health to industry boards are poised to embrace and execute a change that could revolutionise Thailand’s food scene in pursuit of better public health.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-05-17

 

 

[Emdog]

How an msg tax just to cover the waterfront?

[nausea]

In Thailand's climate I sweat like a pig, so sodium ain't a concern for me.

[redwood1]

Replace all the salt with MSG......That should keep the hospitals and morgues busy..

[NoDisplayName]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Following the successful implementation of the sugar tax

 

Out of all the hubs and word-salad proposals, THIS is the one you're able to successfully implement?

[khunPer]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

According to Kulaya Tantitemit, Director-General of the Excise Department, the new tax aligns with public health guidances and aims to reduce the alarmingly high sodium intake from around 3,600 mg currently consumed by Thais to the WHO-recommended limit of 2,000 mg.

Worth to notice that 2 grams of sodium equals 5 grams of salt...

 

AI answer:

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum salt intake of 5 grams per day (equivalent to 2 grams of sodium). While this recommendation generally applies, it's important to consider individual factors like activity level and climate when assessing salt needs, according to the Better Health Channel. 

 

Elaboration:

• WHO Recommendation:

  The WHO recommends a maximum of 5 grams of salt per day (or 2 grams of sodium) for adults to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. 

   
• Tropical Climate:

  In tropical climates, sweating is more common, leading to some loss of sodium. However, the body can typically regulate this loss and maintain adequate sodium levels with a normal diet. 

   
• Individual Needs:

  While the WHO recommendation serves as a general guideline, individual needs may vary. For example, athletes or individuals engaging in strenuous activity in hot weather might require slightly higher sodium intake, but this is typically met through hydration and balanced meals rather than a drastic increase in salt intake. 

   
• Acclimatization:

  The body can adapt to hot weather over time, and the need for extra salt may decrease as you become acclimated to the climate. 

   
• Dehydration is the Primary Concern:

  In hot weather, the main concern is dehydration, not a lack of salt. Drinking plenty of water is crucial to maintain hydration and support the body's electrolyte balance. 

   
• Hyponatremia:

  Hyponatremia, a condition of low sodium, is rare but can occur in certain circumstances, particularly in individuals taking certain medications or with underlying health conditions. 

   
• Salt and Muscle Cramps:

  Some people believe that salt needs to be replaced during hot weather or strenuous exercise to prevent muscle cramps. However, muscle cramps are more often due to dehydration, not a lack of salt. 

[matchar]

After the sugar tax the drinks manufacturers just replaced sugar with artificial sweeteners which are just as bad for your health but also taste like ****.

 

The sugar tax was only successful in increasing profit margins since artificial sweeteners are much cheaper than sugar.

[MarkBR]

There will be an outcry if it raises the price of fish sauce.  Good for health, but bad politics

[daveAustin]

If you want go make the nation ‘healthier’, reduce salt in foodstuffs at source by mandate. Stop putting MORE tax on people to force them into change!