Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital

Following the promulgation of the Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act by presidential decree on January 3, 2024, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the Enforcement Rules of the Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act and the Regulations for the Rewards for Establishing a Healthy Dietary Environmenton on July 1, 2024, providing critical legal foundations and support for the country’s efforts to promote nutrition and healthy diet. The policies will be implemented in accordance with the law and regulations to reflect President Lai’s vision of a “Healthy Taiwan” to achieve the objective of cultivating public awareness of nutrition and a passion for exercise from an early age, thereby encouraging citizens to take responsibility for maintaining their health.

Establish a supportive environment for healthy diet through incentives and subsidies

Director-General Chao-Chun Wu of the Health Promotion Administration stated that the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among our citizens is accomplished not by imposing restrictions, but by providing positive encouragement, support, and guidance to foster a healthier dietary environment. This approach enables citizens to gradually incorporate nutritious diets into their daily lives, thereby enhancing their nutritional awareness and cultivating enduring habits. Since 2018, the Health Promotion Administration has provided guidance and funding to various counties and cities in the country to establish “Community Nutrition Promotion Centers.” These centers are staffed by nutritionists who provide comprehensive nutritional care services to the communities with the aim to mitigate and delay the decline of physical health and functional ability of the elderly. The enactment of the Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act this year (2024) extends the promotion of nutrition and healthy diet efforts to public spaces, including government agencies, schools, workplaces, communities, hospitals, to support citizens throughout all phases of life. Furthermore, the Regulations for Rewards for Establishing a Healthy Dietary Environment has been adopted to provide practical incentives, such as funding and rewards, to encourage comprehensive participation from all sectors in advancing a healthy dietary environment through policy development and subsidy programs. The Regulations aims to engage the health industry in building a healthier dietary landscape by guiding businesses toward healthier practices and promoting the development of health-focused sectors. It also seeks to collaborate with academia to develop evidence-based dietary recommendations and policies, while partnering with nonprofit organizations and civic groups to facilitate public involvement. Through media campaigns and various outreach programs, nutrition and health awareness will be promoted, shifting public focus from “awareness” to “behavioral change” and gradually establishing a positive dietary culture.

The Health Promotion Administration is committed to expanding initiatives for nutrition and healthy eating by fostering inter-ministerial collaboration at the central level, and working with local governments to integrate efforts from industry, government, academia, the public, and the media. The purpose of this collective endeavor is to foster a supportive environment for healthy diet, improve the public understanding and competency of nutrition and healthy diets, and enhance the overall health and nutrition of the population.

Data URL link：https://www.hpa.gov.tw/EngPages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=1050&pid=18623