Thailand will formally recognize 50% sweetness as the new standard on February

Thekabarnews.com—Thailand is going to make a big change in public health by changing what “natural sweetness” implies in drinks. The Department of Health will formally recognize 50% sweetness as the new standard starting on February 11, 2026. This is part of a nationwide effort to lower the risk of non-communicable diseases. It is also an attempt to cut down on too much sugar consumption.

The Director-General of the Department of Health, Amphon Benjapolpitak, made the statement that the project has gotten support from four big coffee chains: Inthanin, Cafe Amazon, All Cafe, and Kadsan Bellini. As well as this, support came from Black Canyon. 

The Thai Coffee Association and government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Disease Control, also endorse the strategy.

Many Thai people drink sweet drinks every day. Examples are iced coffee on the way to work and milk tea during breaks in the afternoon. The new policy will not get rid of sweetness. Instead, it will change. 

The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, Pakorn Tungkasereerak, said that the goal is to slowly change people’s tastes. Brands that participate will offer their current recipes with 50% less sugar as the default option. This will let customers experience familiar flavors with less sugar. As a result, there will be lower health hazards.

The human component of the policy is how it might change people’s daily lives. Head of the Nutrition Division, Saipin Chotiwichian, told people to try the drinks with less sugar and see how they feel. She also asked drink makers all throughout the country to join the network that supports this healthier way of doing things.

There will be special deals when the campaign starts in mid-February 2026 to get people to switch. Health professionals think that the policy is a unique example of the government, business, and civil society working together. As a result, they hope to make the world a healthier place.

The adjustment may not seem like much to the millions of Thais who buy sweet beverages every day. But over time, a little less sweetness could imply a little less burden of diabetes and other illnesses caused by lifestyle choices—one cup at a time.