Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Supports the FDA and FoSTAT in Advancing the "Smart Kids with Good Health" Initiative

With non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remaining one of Thailand's major public health challenges, many Thai youth continue to consume foods high in sodium, sugar, and fat. Promoting Food and Nutrition Literacy therefore plays a vital role in fostering healthy dietary behaviors. Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has joined forces with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand (FoSTAT) to advance the "Smart Kids with Good Health" initiative across 10 model Oryornoi schools nationwide, following its launch in late 2025. Most recently, four interactive learning activities were conducted at Saint Joseph Convent School to enhance students' knowledge of nutrition and food safety while fostering healthy behaviors that contribute to lifelong well-being and an improved quality of life for Thai youth.

Assistant Professor Puangpetch Nitayanont, President of the Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand (FoSTAT), said, "Today, Thai youth continue to face challenges related to dietary behaviors that may affect their long-term health. Strengthening Food and Nutrition Literacy is therefore essential. It is not only about providing knowledge, but also about empowering children and young people to think critically and make informed decisions about their everyday food choices. FoSTAT is pleased to collaborate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with support from Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd., in advancing the 'Smart Kids with Good Health' initiative. The initiative is currently being implemented across 10 model Oryornoi schools nationwide and has been well received by all participating schools so far. By transforming food science and nutrition knowledge into age-appropriate games, the learning activities provide hands-on experiences that strengthen students' knowledge, skills, and positive health attitudes, helping them develop a sound understanding that can lead to appropriate dietary behaviors in the long term. We sincerely hope this initiative will help lay a strong foundation in food and nutrition for Thai youth while extending knowledge to families and communities, contributing to sustainable well-being and an improved quality of life in the future."

Mrs. Mathuvalee Stithyudhakarn, Vice President - Corporate Affairs, Thailand and Indochina, Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, "Guided by our corporate values of 'Growing for Good' and 'Giving Back to Society,' Suntory is committed to creating positive value for society alongside business growth. We believe that promoting health knowledge and healthy behaviors from an early age is fundamental to fostering sustainable well-being for society. Good health is not achieved solely through access to quality products, but also on Food and Nutrition Literacy, which empowers Thai youth to make informed choices and develop lifelong healthy behaviors. For this reason, we place great importance on advancing well-being and improving quality of life through collaboration with partners across multiple sectors, bringing together knowledge and expertise to create a positive impact on society. We are truly honored to support the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand (FoSTAT) in implementing the 'Smart Kids with Good Health' initiative. We sincerely hope this initiative will not only strengthen Food and Nutrition Literacy among students in all 10 model Oryornoi schools but also extend this knowledge to their families and communities, helping lay the foundation for a healthier and more sustainable Thai society in the future."

Smart Kids with Good Health: Strengthening Food and Nutrition Literacy among Thai Youth

The "Smart Kids with Good Health" initiative aims to strengthen Food and Nutrition Literacy among primary and lower secondary school students from 10 model Oryornoi schools nationwide, covering Bangkok and the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern regions of Thailand. Through its "Learn with Fun" approach, the initiative combines Gamified Learning with hands-on experiences to encourage active participation while fostering critical thinking, communication, and self-expression. This learning process helps students develop a deeper understanding, strengthen knowledge retention, and apply what they have learned in their everyday life. The initiative features four interactive learning activities:

1. Taste Challenge Lab, where students explore aroma and taste while participating in product acceptance testing of food products with reduced sugar and sodium content.
2. Health Communicator Workshop, designed to inspire students to become young health communicators by creating health-related content for social media platforms.
3. Food Label Detective, which helps students better understanding how to read Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) nutrition labels and other food labels.
4. Check It Right, which promotes the proper sorting of used food and beverage packaging in accordance with the 3Rs principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

The initiative also provides schools and Provincial Public Health Offices with game-based learning materials and educational posters to expand learning opportunities for youth on a broader scale. All three educational resource sets are designed to reinforce hands-on learning and encourage students to apply their knowledge in their daily lives, helping foster healthy, sustainable dietary behaviors while extending learning to families, schools, and communities.