In Thailand, a quiet transformation is taking place — not in hospitals or clinics, but in workplace canteens. These everyday dining spaces are becoming the frontline in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Poor eating habits and rising rates of obesity are key drivers of these conditions. Global health data from 2022 shows that 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 were living with hypertension, while 2.5 billion adults were overweight — nearly 900 million of them classified as obese.
Thailand mirrors this trend. Between 2008–2009 and 2019–2020, obesity rates among Thais aged 15–59 rose from 34.7% to 42.4%. During the same period, diabetes cases grew from 6.9% to 9.5%, and hypertension climbed from 21.4% to 25.4%. These increases are linked to higher consumption of sugary, fatty, and salty foods, along with low fruit and vegetable intake. On average, Thais eat only 3.7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, falling short of the recommended five.
In response, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health launched a major initiative in 2020 to transform all workplace canteens into “healthy canteens.” These venues must serve clean, fresh, and nutritious food in appropriate portions every day. Led by the Department of Health’s Bureau of Nutrition (BoN), the program follows the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety (2022–2030) and aims to set a national example for both public and private sectors.
To earn the healthy canteen certification, each site must meet seven criteria. These include food hygiene, at least one healthy menu per vendor, a fresh fruit vendor, reduced-sugar drink options, nutrition labeling on food items, visible warnings for salt and sugar in condiments, and ongoing health education for staff and diners.
The Department of Health certified its own canteen first, setting the standard for others. All 11 canteens within the ministry soon followed. The healthy menu concept itself isn’t new — it began in 2007. Meals must be safe, free of harmful substances, and meet BoN guidelines on energy, fat, sugar, sodium, protein, and fiber. MSG is not allowed.
From 2021 to 2023, the campaign expanded nationwide through partnerships with regional health centers, local governments, and public and private organizations. Certified healthy canteens increased from 81 in 2021 to 245 in 2023.
To speed up certification, the BoN launched the “Food4Health” app in 2022. This platform allows food vendors to submit required documents and receive approval in under 10 minutes, compared to the previous one-month process. The certification is valid for two years, and the app’s map function helps users locate nearby healthy canteens.
Before this digital shift, inspections were conducted in person. Between 2020 and 2023, health officers traveled nationwide to assess canteens. They provided feedback, and vendors who met all seven criteria could apply for certification. In 2024, the entire system went digital, cutting costs and improving efficiency.
By the end of 2024, 373 canteens were certified across all 76 provinces and Bangkok — 92% of the year’s goal. The program now includes workplaces, hospitals, prisons, shopping malls, and schools. Some certified vendors report that customers not only accepted healthier meals but started returning more frequently.
A growing body of evidence supports the effort. Healthy canteens are linked to lower employee sick leave and medical costs. However, some vendors face challenges, especially with limited budgets to meet food safety standards.
Still, the program is gaining momentum. The Department of Health aims to certify 1,000 healthy canteens by 2027. This goal will rely on partnerships across ministries, businesses, and local communities. Education campaigns — both online and on-site — will support these efforts, helping Thai people make better food choices and live healthier lives.
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