In Singapore, hundreds of visitors make the journey daily to the northern tip of the island, where Japan’s Yakult Honsha produces up to 283,000 bottles of probiotic milk every day. Last year alone, Singaporeans consumed a staggering 80 million bottles, making the country one of the top markets globally for Yakult, which is sold in 40 countries.
However, local sales of Yakult’s original formula, praised for its digestive health benefits, have seen a decline over the past two years. This shift came after Singapore imposed a “D” nutritional grade on the product’s label due to its relatively high sugar content. In addition, almost all advertising for the drink was halted as part of the country’s efforts to combat rising obesity rates.
As sugar taxes and nutritional labeling systems become more widespread across Asia, policymakers are being urged to accelerate efforts to address the growing obesity crisis. With many countries grappling with soaring rates of obesity and diabetes, the region is increasingly using taxation and public health regulations to curb excessive sugar consumption.
Despite the challenges, experts say the rise of these health policies is a crucial step toward improving public health in the region. As more nations follow Singapore’s lead, the spotlight is on how companies like Yakult and others will adapt to this new regulatory environment.
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