Science Clusters

Science Cluster Objectives
 • Identify scientific gaps through the collation and review of food and nutrient consumption data, assessment of nutritional status as well as physical activity trends and energy expenditure data in specific population groups.
 • Promote science-based information dissemination on food and nutrient needs, as well as the development, utilization and evaluation of dietary guidance that include Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG), Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) or Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), nutrition labeling and claims, and behavior modification approaches for public health improvement.
 • Facilitate scientific research and develop health intervention programs related to infant and child nutrition, aging, obesity and other lifestyle-related chronic diseases

Flagship Program on Food-based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs)
This Flagship Program will focus on evaluation and research into the effectiveness of FBDGs, including FBDGs for specific populations groups in identified Southeast Asian countries. The evaluation and research will include:
 • A Survey to be conducted among developers of FBDGs, regulators and policy-makers, health professionals and educators, consumers, etc.
 • The identification of gaps, recommendations for improving the effectiveness of FBDGs, and innovative approaches to consumer education

Task Forces
 • Macronutrients and Micronutrients Task Force
 • Dietary Assessment and Guidelines Task Force
 • Overweight and Obesity Task Force

Science Cluster Objectives
 • Promote the use of science as the basis for the establishment of food, food ingredients and water safety standards and regulations among countries within ASEAN and the Australasia regions. Codex principles and recommendations will be used as guidelines for harmonization process of the different national food standards.
 • Maintain and expand a regional database on food safety standards based on Codex GSFA as a guide to facilitate the harmonization process among the countries in the region.
 • Address emerging scientific issues on microbiological and chemical safety in food and water impacting public health and regulatory processes.
 • Facilitate exposure assessment data development and risk assessment training in collaboration with scientific institutions, international agencies and regional regulatory bodies.

Flagship Program on Harmonization of ASEAN Food Safety Standards
Harmonization of food safety standards is still an important and relevant issue to the Southeast Asian Region. ILSI SEA Region will continue to focus on this area by:
 • Expanding the scope of the harmonization process (e.g. new additives, contaminants, etc).
 • Expanding and updating the ASEAN Food Safety Standards Database.

Science Cluster Objectives
 • Facilitate the development and dissemination of scientific criteria for substantiation of claims on foods and food components in the region and promote harmonized approach through evaluation of known biomarkers relevant to the Asian populations
 • Development of food fortification strategies and address bioavailabilty, technology and safety issues. 
 • Promote scientific understanding of new technologies, including biotechnology and the advancement of knowledge on gene-nutrient interaction that will lead to improved health, better nutrition and safe food supply for target populations.

Flagship Program on Nutrigenomics
Focus of the Flagship Program in the next 2 years will be on:
 • Capability development in the Southeast Asia Region, especially among health professionals, young scientists and regulators.
 • The area of nutrigenomics and cognition, particularly among infants and the elderly.

Task Forces
 • Functional Foods Task Force
 • Food Fortification Task Force
 • New Technologies Task Force

Science Cluster Objectives
 • Promote understanding and expand on scientific knowledge on the role, consumption, and regulation on self care products to promote appropriate self care practices that impact public health.
 • Facilitate a better understanding of relationships between oral infection and systemic illness such as heart disease, low-birth weight and glycemic control.
 • Facilitate discussion and identify research gaps required to address safety and efficacy aspects of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals including issues related to Tolerable Upper Intake (UL) of botanica and other ingredients used in these products.

Task Forces (under development)
 • Oral & Systemic Health Task Force
 • Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals Task Force
 • Skin Health Task Force    
  
 

Consumer Science
 
Consumer science and education has been identified as one single common issue of increasing importance and relevance to ILSI SEA Region’s scientific undertakings. It will be addressed by all the above 4 Science Clusters, through collaborative activities between the Clusters.