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Dr Siti Abdul Malek: Working toward regulatory convergence in the ASEAN market

Source:Ringier Food Release Date:2016-08-10 759
Food & Beverage
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Read our exclusive interview with Dr Siti Abdul Malek, the Head of Science & Regulatory Affairs at Food Industry Asia and Director of the ASEAN Food & Beverage Alliance 

THE 3rd Vitafoods Asia 2016 Conference which takes place from 1-2 September this year at the AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong, is Vitafood’s platform for educating participants on recent industry innovations, trends, and regulations. One of the speakers at this event is Dr Siti Abdul Malek, the Head of Science & Regulatory Affairs at Food Industry Asia (FIA) and Director of the ASEAN Food & Beverage Alliance (AFBA) in Singapore. She is part of the panel to discuss: Raising the bar within the functional nutrition industry and increasing consumer trust within the Pan-Asian region

Dr Siti Abdul Malek will be speaking at the Vitafoods Asia Conference on September 2

What is the scope of the ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance, and what are its current priorities? 

The scope of the ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance is primarily on harmonization of food standards in the ASEAN region. With the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community, where the aspiration is to have one production base, the food and beverage sector is working towards this end. Its current priorities include addressing non-tariff barriers to trade in the food and beverage sector, with a view to achieve harmonized food standards and/or the development of mutual recognition agreements, which will enable the ASEAN food and beverage industry to have greater market access and provides ASEAN consumers with more and better food and beverage choices.  

What is the state of the region’s functional nutrition industry? 

It is healthy and vibrant. Euromonitor International reported that, in 2014, the market for functional nutrition products was worth US$70 billion, contributing to one-third of food sales. Dairy products have been exceptionally successful in this region, with double digit growth year on year. In another report, though North America is currently the biggest market for functional nutrition products, Asia-Pacific has been projected to be next growing market by 2020. Increased incidences of chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, gut diseases, and hypertension in the region have made consumers seek the benefits for functional nutritional products in mitigating these. Through social media and E-commerce, Millennials and young working adults in this region have been made more aware of the availability of such products and its benefits to health.  

What would you say are among the concrete signs of progress in the food and beverage industry since the ASEAN bloc came to be? 

At the moment it is still early to say. As you are aware, the AEC has only been officially launched only seven months ago. Although the industry has been working tirelessly for the past several years in addressing the barriers to trade, regulatory convergence is something that is complex and this will take some time before we can see any signs of progress. Nevertheless, we are working with the authorities to meet the deadline that ASEAN has set for itself with regards to the removal of non-tariff barriers to trade, that is, by 2018.  

The ASEAN food and beverage consists mostly of SMEs. What can you advise those that wish to expand in the region? 

SMEs are the engine of growth in any economy. They need to prepare themselves well in the technical aspects of the business as the food and beverage industry if they want to compete at the global level. The food and beverage business is getting more technologically advance every day. In addition, they need to get themselves equipped with food safety systems that are internationally recognised, such as HACCP. These systems are a testimony that their products are safe for consumption. At the end of the day, that is what matters for the consumers, and regulators. 

With an impressive track record in the food industry, what else do you personally aim to accomplish in the next five years? 

Personally, for the food and beverage sector, I would like to see regulatory convergence in the ASEAN market. With harmonized food standards, the industry would be better able to focus its activities into actively innovating new and improved product offerings that the over 600 million people can have access to. Offering a win-win-win situation for the people, regulators and industry in ASEAN will make the region become more progressive and ready to compete in the global market. 

What are your expectations at this year’s Vitafoods Asia? And will its move to Singapore make a significant impact next year? 

My expectation at this year’s Vitafoods Asia would be that they’ll be more new participants in the business and scientific pool than last year so that collectively, we can make more impact in terms of working on innovative solutions to deliver safe, healthy and nutritious outcomes for consumers in the Asian region. 

Should Vitafoods Asia decide to have the event in Singapore next year, I think it could deliver a significant impact in terms of outcomes as Singapore is the hub for functional nutrition research and development. Vitafoods Asia would be able to leverage on the expertise that exist in the republic and the surrounding countries, like Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia, which is also a hub for functional nutrition R & D and consumer research. 

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