ILSI SEA Region initiates and coordinates scientific programs, research, as well as knowledge and information dissemination in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Read more
Upcoming Events
Science Symposium on ReThink Sodium: Science, Behavior, Guidance and Solutions for Public Health
28/04/2026
317 Outram Rd, Singapore
This one-day symposium convenes scientific experts and stakeholders to jointly re-think longstanding issues around sodium and health. Discussions will focus on understanding sodium consumption patterns, exploring emerging assessment methods, discussing strategies and innovative solutions, and fostering collaborative actions to achieve optimal sodium intake in the region.
Science Symposium on Sodium and Health
26/05/2026
Binondo, Manila, Philippines
This one-day symposium brings together distinguished experts and key stakeholders to share diverse perspectives on sodium intake and its implications for health. Through sessions on sodium health and science, consumer insights, and industry perspectives, the symposium aims to bridge science and practice while fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to address one of today’s key nutrition challenges.
| Industry (Non-ILSI SEA Region Members) | 380 SGD |
| Industry (ILSI SEA Region Members) | 330 SGD |
| Government / Academia | 280 SGD |
• Registration fees are exclusive of Eventbrite platform charges. Applicable fees will be reflected upon checkout.
• No cancellation will be allowed once the registration is confirmed. However, a substitute participant will be accepted. Click Here to Register
PROGRAM
08:00 - 08:45 hr Registration08:45 - 09:00 hr Welcome Remarks
Session 1: Understanding Sodium in the Diet 09:00 - 09:30
Sodium: State of the Science - Health, Guidelines, and Data Challenges
Prof Andrew Mente, Population Health Research Institute and Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Canada 09:30 - 10:00
Understanding Sodium Intake: History, Culture, and Dietary Sources
Prof Christiani Jeyakumar Henry, Global Centre for Asian Women's Health (GloW), NUS Medicine, Singapore
10:00 - 10:15 Q&A
10:15 - 10:35 Morning Refreshment Break / Networking
Session 2: Community and Public Health Approaches to Sodium Reduction 10:35 - 11:00 hr
Salt Substitution for Cardiovascular Health Promotion at Population Level
Prof Yangfeng Wu, Peking University Clinical Research Institute, China 11:00 - 11:20 hr
Salt Preference: Sensory and Behavioral Drivers of Salt Use and Sodium Reduction
Dr Yee How Say, Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School, Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Malaysia
11:20 - 11:40 hr
Glutamate-rich Seasonings and Educational Strategies for Better Sodium Reduction
Dr Vu Thi Thu Hien, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Vietnam
11:40 - 12:00 hr Q&A
12:00 - 12:45 hrNational Sodium Reduction Initiatives: Country Examples
Singapore
Dr Eunice Pang, Policy and Strategy Development, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore Malaysia
Dr Sivarajan Ramasamy, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia Thailand
Dr Krisada Hanbanjerd, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
12:45 - 13:00 hr Q&A
13:00 - 14:15 hr Lunch Break / Networking
Session 3: Industry and Innovative Solutions 14:15 - 14:35 hr
Guidance and Innovations for Industry on Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals
Dr Diane Mendoza-Sarmiento, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines 14:35 - 15:20 hr
Navigating Reformulation of Lower-Sodium Products: Industry Challenges, Opportunities, and Pathways 1) How low can we go: Industry Insights from Australia's Healthy Food Partnership
Ms Anne-Marie Mackintosh, Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC), Australia
2) Lower Sodium Without Compromise: Unlocking Healthier Foodservice Solutions in Southeast Asia
Mr Haibin Guo, R&D, SEA & METAP, Unilever Food Solutions, Thailand
Other Speakers TBC
15:20 - 15:40 Q&A
15:40 - 16:00 Afternoon Refreshment Break / Networking
Panel Discussion - Sodium Reduction in Southeast Asia: Aligning Policy, Food Environments, and Public Behavior 16:00 - 16:45 hr
Panel Discussion - Sodium Reduction in Southeast Asia: Aligning Policy, Food Environments, and Public Behavior Moderator:
Dr E Siong Tee, TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy, Malaysia Panelists:
Prof Datin Dr Yook-Chin Chia, Sunway University, Malaysia
Dr Terence Ng, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore
Other Panelists TBC 16:45 - 17:00 hr Closing Remarks
End of Symposium
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Prof Andrew Mente
Population Health Research Institute and Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
Dr. Andrew Mente received his doctoral degree in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto. He completed postdoctoral training in cardiovascular epidemiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, and is currently a Professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI) and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) at McMaster University.
Dr. Mente's research focuses on the role of dietary sodium in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD). His work has contributed to large international studies examining sodium intake in populations globally and its association with cardiovascular outcomes. His research has been published in several landmark journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA, and the British Medical Journal.
Dr. Mente has also studied dietary nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns in relation to cardiovascular disease and mortality, and has co-led analyses on the role of fats and carbohydrates in cardiovascular disease as part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) cohort. Recently, he developed a globally applicable healthy diet score using data from the PURE study, which was replicated in 5 independent studies involving participants across 80 countries.
Prof Christiani Jeyakumar Henry
Global Centre for Asian Women's Health (GloW), NUS Medicine, Singapore
Prof. Jeyakumar Henry is currently Senior Advisor, at GloW, National University of Singapore. He trained as a Nutritionist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and was the founding Director of the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, A*STAR, Singapore (2011-2023), and first Director of Functional Food Centre in Oxford, UK. He was a Board member of UK Food Standards Agency, and served as a consultant to UNICEF, FAO, WHO, on International Nutrition. His work on energy metabolism led to the development of the Henry Equation to predict basal metabolic rate that is used worldwide. He has been active in developing novel foods and ingredients to improve human health worldwide. He was made a Fellow of the International Academy of Food Scientists and Technologists (2012), Fellow of the British Nutrition Society (2022), and Fellow of the American Society for Nutrition (2024) - the highest award in Human Nutritional science.
Prof Yangfeng Wu
Peking University Clinical Research Institute, China
Prof Yangfeng Wu is a Professor of Epidemiology and Sciences in Clinical Research at the School of Public Health and the Clinical Research Institute of the Institute of Advanced Clinical Medicine, Peking University. He has successively presided over dozens of scientific research projects and has published over 440 papers in domestic and international medical journals, and has edited and co-edited 21 monographs in Chinese and English. He led the development of China's first cardiovascular disease risk prediction model and chaired the formulation of the "Practical Guidelines for Primary Hypertension Prevention and Treatment" and the "Chinese Guidelines on Low-Sodium Salt Use and Promotion ". He has received numerous honors, including the Ministry of Health Science and Technology Progress Award, Wu Jie Ping Medical Research Award - Paul Janssen Pharmaceutical Award, Paul Dudley White International Lecture at AHA Scientific Sessions 2012, and many others. He has served as the Director of the World Health Organization's Cardiovascular Disease Training and Cooperation Center (Beijing), the Director of The George Institute for Global Health, China and an Honorary Professor at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine. His main research focuses on the effective strategies for prevention and control of major chronic diseases.
Dr Yee How Say
Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School, Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Malaysia
Dr. Say Yee How is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School, Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Malaysia. His research focuses on nutrition and genetics in non-communicable diseases, particularly nutrigenetics, dietary behaviour, and metabolic health. His work investigates how genetic variation influences taste perception-including bitter, sweet, salty, umami, and fatty tastes-and how these differences shape dietary preferences, nutrient intake, and risk of obesity and related metabolic conditions. He is actively involved in population nutrition research, particularly studies on dietary sodium reduction and healthier food environments. His recent work includes research and intervention studies aimed at reducing salt and sugar intake in institutional and out-of-home food settings, including campus-based initiatives to improve dietary practices and cardiometabolic health. Dr. Say is also involved in the Malaysian Society for World Action on Salt, Sugar and Health (MyWASSH), a multidisciplinary initiative that promotes salt and sugar reduction strategies, public education, and policy engagement to address non-communicable diseases in Malaysia. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in international journals, including research on salt reduction interventions and population dietary behaviours, contributing to evidence-based strategies to improve nutrition and reduce chronic disease risk.
Dr Vu Thi Thu Hien
National Institute of Nutrition, Vietnam
Dr. Vu Thi Thu Hien is the Head of the Biochemistry and Nutrition Metabolism Department at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). She earned her medical degree from Hanoi Medical University in 1996, followed by a Master's degree in Nutrition from Tokushima University, Japan in 2004, and a PhD in Nutrition from Ochanomizu University, Japan in 2008. Since 2006, she has led the Biochemistry and Nutrition Metabolism Department at NIN. She has been a lecturer at Hanoi Medical University since 2011, was appointed Associate Professor in 2014, and has also been a lecturer at Nam Dinh University of Nursing since 2018. In addition, she has been an active member of the Steering Committee of the Vietnam Dietetic Association since 2019.
Dr Eunice Pang
Policy and Strategy Development, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore
Dr Eunice Pang leads in the development and implementation of regulatory policies as well as upstream food-related strategies to tackle public health issues. Her notable contributions include the implementation of the Nutri-Grade nutrition labelling system, an initiative that empowers consumers to make informed dietary choices. She is also instrumental in overseeing the sodium and saturated fat reduction strategy in response to Singapore's high prevalence of hypertension and elevated blood cholesterol. Her expertise encompasses familiarity with the food ecosystem and the translation of food and nutrition guidelines into practical implementation
Prior to her tenure at HPB, Eunice established her scientific foundation as a trained food scientist and served as a Post-Doctoral Associate in nutritional immunology at the USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA-HNRCA) in Boston, USA. This research background provides her with the scientific rigour and evidence-based approach that underpins her current policy leadership.
Dr Sivarajan Ramasamy
Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Dr. Sivarajan Ramasamy is a Public Health Medicine Specialist with the Ministry of Health Malaysia, currently leading the Cardio-Renal-Metabolic (CRM) Prevention and Control agenda under the Disease Control Division. With over 15 years of experience in population health, he plays a key role in shaping national strategies on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a strong focus on diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular health, and integrated risk factor management.
He is actively involved in the development of Malaysia's upcoming National Strategic Plan for NCD (2026-2030), driving a paradigm shift towards a more integrated, outcome-driven CRM approach. His work emphasises lifestyle intervention as first-line therapy, supported by system transformation, behavioural insights, and multi-sectoral collaboration to strengthen prevention and early intervention across the life course.
Dr. Sivarajan currently leads national efforts on sodium reduction policy within the Ministry of Health Malaysia, advancing the implementation of the Salt Reduction Strategy to Prevent and Control NCD for Malaysia (2021-2025). His work focuses on translating evidence into policy and practice, including strengthening reformulation initiatives, public awareness, and interventions targeting high-risk dietary behaviours particularly in out of home food environments. Through cross-sectoral engagement, he continues to drive innovative, scalable solutions to reduce population salt intake and improve cardiovascular health outcomes in Malaysia
Dr Krisada Hanbunjerd
Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
Dr Diane Mendoza-Sarmiento
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Dr Diane S. Mendoza-Sarmiento is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the College of Education, University of Santo Tomas, where she also serves as Nutrition Clinic Coordinator and researcher at the Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences. She earned her PhD in Health Research from the University of Santo Tomas as a DOST-SEI scholar and DA-PhilRice fellowship awardee, with doctoral research examining the role of pigmented rice in reducing cardiometabolic risks.
She is active in professional organizations, previously served as a Board Member of the Philippine Association of Nutrition in 2020-2021 and 2024-2025, and currently Secretary of the Philippine Stakeholders of Nutritionist-Dietitians. She is also an associate member of the National Research Council of the Philippines.
Ms Anne-Marie Mackintosh
Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC), Australia
Ms Anne-Marie Mackintosh is a dietitian with over 25 years' experience spanning industry, government, and healthcare. As Associate Director - Health , Trade and Regulatory Affairs at the Australian Food & Grocery Council, she helps shape nutrition policy and advocates for healthier choices. She also contributes nationally through key committees and initiatives such as the Australian Government Healthy Food Partnership. Passionate about collaboration, she's always looking for practical ways to make a positive impact on food and health.
Mr Haibin Guo
R&D, SEA & METAP, Unilever Food Solutions, Thailand
Haibin Guo is R&D Director, SEA&METAP, Unilever Food Solutions, with over 10 years of experience in research and innovation across the food and consumer goods industries. His work spans multiple sectors, including ice cream, skincare, and food service. Haibin holds master degrees from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and California Polytechnic State University in food science and dairy science. He focuses on translating consumer insights and culinary trends into scalable innovations for professional kitchens worldwide.
Dr E Siong Tee
TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy, Malaysia
Dr E Siong Tee has been a Member of the Board of Directors of ILSI SEA Region since 1996 and Scientific Coordinator of ILSI Malaysia Country Committee since 2005. He is currently a Nutrition Consultant for TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy. Dr. Tee was Head of the Cardiovascular, Diabetes and Nutrition Research Centre of the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, until his retirement in February 2002, after serving for 30 years. He was President of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) till March 2024. In this capacity, he has led the implementation of various community nutrition promotion programs including the Nutrition Month Malaysia programme since 2002. He is also Vice-President of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS). Dr Tee is a member of several Technical Working Groups of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, including the committees related to Malaysian Food Regulations and Codex Alimentarius. He initiated the formation of the Southeast Asia Public Health Nutrition (SEA-PHN) Network in 2014 and is the current Chairman of the Network. Dr Tee is also Adjunct Professor of the IMU University, Malaysia.
Prof Datin Dr Yook-Chin Chia
Sunway University, Malaysia
Prof Yook-Chin Chia is Head of the Ageing, Health and Wellbeing Research Centre (CARE) at Sunway University and is an Emeritus Professor of University of Malaya. She is a council member and the past-president of the Malaysian Society of Hypertension and is a member of the Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines on Management of Hypertension for many editions
Dr Chia is also a hypertension specialist of the European Society of Hypertension and is a member of the Asia Pacific Regional Advisory Group of the International Society of Hypertension. She is the founding president of MyWASSH, (Malaysian Society for World Action on Salt and Sugar for Health) a new non-governmental society to promote reduction of salt and sugar consumption in Malaysia. Her current research is focused on salt reduction and she has been recognized by the World Hypertension League with the 2022 Graham MacGregor Excellence Award in Dietary Salt Reduction at the Population Level
Much of her clinical work and research is on hypertension and its related cardiovascular diseases. Her current research activities are with the HOPE-Asia Network, a group of hypertension specialists from Asia. For her research activities, she was awarded the Senior Female Researcher from the International Society of Hypertension in 2022
She is also a member of editorial board of several journals and mentors young investigators on hypertension and its related cardiovascular diseases research. She has published widely and is recognised as a Top 2% Most cited Scientists in the World since 2020
Dr Terrence Ng
Innovation Office and Policy & Strategy Division, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore
Dr Terence Ng is Director in the Innovation Office and the Policy and Strategy Division in the Health Promotion Board Singapore. He is responsible for the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of priority public health policy.
In addition, he also leads the design and implementation of National Healthy Population projects, which leverage pioneering capabilities of technology companies to co-innovate solutions in precision public health.
Terence is a trained sociologist and lawyer who was previously an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Francisco doing research on home and community-based care for the elderly and disabled.
ORGANIZER
COLLABORATOR
CONTACT
If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us through:
ILSI Southeast Asia Region18 Mohamed Sultan Road #03-01 Singapore 238967
Tel: 65 6352 5220
Email: event@ilsisea.org.sg [post_title] => Science Symposium on ReThink Sodium: Science, Behavior, Guidance and Solutions for Public Health [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => rethink-sodium-2026 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-04-06 04:52:33 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-04-06 04:52:33 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://ilsisea-region.org/?post_type=event&p=30986 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => event [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 31033 [post_author] => 353 [post_date] => 2026-04-07 00:52:14 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-04-07 00:52:14 [post_content] =>
As dietary patterns continue to evolve, excessive sodium intake among Filipinos remains a growing public health concern and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases. This one-day symposium brings together distinguished global and local experts and key stakeholders to share diverse perspectives on sodium intake and its implications for health. Through sessions on sodium health and science, consumer insights, and industry perspectives, the symposium aims to bridge science and practice while fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to address one of today's key nutrition challenges.
The symposium will be held IN-PERSON at:
Address: 612 Ongpin, cor Quintin Paredes, Binondo, Manila
Website: https://www.ramadamanilacentral.com/
REGISTRATION
Registration Fee: ₱ 1,500.00
Notes:• Registration fee is inclusive of registration fee, lunch and snacks.
• No cancellation will be allowed once the registration is confirmed. However, a substitute participant will be accepted.
• Payment Information is available in the registration site below. Note: This symposium has been applied for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units for Nutritionist-Dietitians under the Philippines' Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Who Should Attend:
Registered Nutritionist-Dietitians, allied health professionals, researchers, academics, government and regulatory officers, industry representatives, science educators and communicators Click Here to Register
PROGRAM
08:00 - 09:00 AM (GMT+8) Registration09:00 - 09:20 AM Welcome Remarks
Session 1: Understanding Sodium in the Diet 09:20 - 10:05 AM
Why Should the Level of Sodium Intake be a Health Concern
Dr. Cecilia A. Jimeno, College of Medicine and Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila 10:05 - 10:50 AM
Methodological Issues in Sodium Intake Assessment (Virtual)
Prof Rachel McLean, Department of Public Health, University of Otago, New Zealand 10:50 - 11:35 AM
Local and Regional Dietary Guidelines in Sodium: Latest Evidence and Emerging Recommendations (Virtual)
Prof Andrew Mente, Population Health Research Institute and Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
11:35 - 12:00 NN Q&A
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
Session 2: Stakeholder Engagement and Consumer Perspectives 1:00 - 1:45 PM
Sensory and Behavioral Drivers of Sodium Intake
Mr Nico V. Reyes, Rebel Marketing Philippines 1:45 - 2:30 PM
Communication Pathways in Encouraging Adoption of Lower- Sodium Foods
Ms Germaine A. Reyes, Synergy Market Research and Strategic Consultancy, Philippinesd
2:30 - 2:50 PM Q&A
Session 3: Industry Perspectives 2:50 - 3:35 PM
Guidance for Industry on Voluntary Sodium Reduction
Dr. Diane S. Mendoza-Sarmiento, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 3:35 - 4:20 PM
Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Sodium Reformulation
Mr. Koichiro Watabe, R&D and Quality Assurance, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation 4:20 - 5:05 PM
Multisectoral Interventions Towards Advancing Sodium Reduction
Dr Mario V. Capanzana, Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI)
5:05 - 5:25 PM Q&A
5:25 - 5:30 PM Closing Remarks / End of Symposium
View Full ProgramFEATURED SPEAKERS
Dr. Cecilia A. Jimeno
College of Medicine and Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
Dr. Cecilia A. Jimeno is a renowned Filipino endocrinologist, professor, and researcher, recognized for her expertise in diabetes, metabolism, and thyroid disorders. She currently serves as Associate Dean for Academic Development (ADAD), and as Professor and former Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila. She is also an admitting physician at the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital in Manila and currently chairs the UP-Manila Research Ethics Board.
A recognized leader in endocrinology, Dr. Jimeno held numerous leadership roles in professional organizations, including serving as Past President of the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PCEDM). She has been actively engaged in national and regional scientific discussions and is regarded as a key contributor to advancing endocrine care in the Philippines. Her expertise spans internal medicine, with specialization in clinical endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism.
Dr. Jimeno is also a pioneer in the development of clinical practice guidelines in the Philippines, having contributed to and led initiatives on diabetes and thyroid disease management that have helped shape national healthcare standards. Widely recognized for her contributions as an educator and researcher, she has received numerous accolades, including the PCEDM Diamond Award for Leadership, the UPMAS Outstanding Educator Award, and multiple UP Professorial Chair Awards for excellence in teaching, research, and public service.
Her longstanding commitment to advancing medical science, improving patient care, and mentoring future health professionals underscores her significant impact on endocrinology and medical education in the Philippines.
Prof Rachel McLean
Department of Public Health, University of Otago, New Zealand
Professor Rachael McLean is Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago, Dunedin New Zealand. She trained in medicine, has worked in both Primary Care and Public Health Settings, and is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine. She is an internationally recognized expert in nutritional public health and epidemiology, including research methods and analysis. She has broad expertise in investigating risk factors and interventions for prevention and better management of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. For the past 17 years she has had a particular research focus in dietary sodium assessment and reduction strategies. In this capacity she has advised the World Health Organization, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the New Zealand Ministry of Health. She has led international collaborations producing systematic reviews comparing different methods of assessment of dietary sodium intake, and these have been referenced in the 2019 USA/Canada Dietary Reference Intakes. She has an established track record of obtaining competitive research grants, and publishing, including with international research collaborations. She has over 100 peer reviewed publications and has written commissioned reports for various government agencies including the New Zealand Ministry of Health, Ministry for Primary Industries, and New Zealand Food Safety Authority.
Prof Andrew Mente
Population Health Research Institute and Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
Dr. Andrew Mente received his doctoral degree in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto. He completed postdoctoral training in cardiovascular epidemiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, and is currently a Professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI) and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) at McMaster University.
Dr. Mente's research focuses on the role of dietary sodium in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD). His work has contributed to large international studies examining sodium intake in populations globally and its association with cardiovascular outcomes. His research has been published in several landmark journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA, and the British Medical Journal.
Dr. Mente has also studied dietary nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns in relation to cardiovascular disease and mortality, and has co-led analyses on the role of fats and carbohydrates in cardiovascular disease as part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) cohort. Recently, he developed a globally applicable healthy diet score using data from the PURE study, which was replicated in 5 independent studies involving participants across 80 countries.
Mr Nico V. Reyes
Rebel Marketing Philippines
Mr Nico Reyes is a strategic communications and public affairs adviser with over two decades of experience helping organizations translate complex public issues and technical information into clear messages that improve public understanding, support informed decisions and choices, and ultimately contribute to positive behavior change.
He is the Co-Founder and President of Rebel Marketing, a strategic advisory consultancy that works with multinational companies, government institutions, and industry organizations on communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, and public policy positioning.
Over the course of his career, he has advised organizations such as GCash, GSK, Sanofi, Nestlé Philippines, Unilever, and USAID, among others, on how to communicate complex issues in ways that are accessible, credible, and relevant to everyday decision-making.
He also contributes to advancing science communication in the Philippines as a member of DOST-PCIEERD's Technical Panel on Science Communication since 2019 and has recently delivered lectures and workshops for institutions such as DOST-FNRI and the Philippine Navy on communicating scientific and technical information in ways that resonate with everyday audiences.
Ms Germaine A. Reyes
Synergy Market Research and Strategic Consultancy, Philippines
Ms Germaine Reyes is the President and CEO of Synergy Market Research + Strategic Consultancy, a management consulting, research, and data analytics firm. Synergy is the exclusive Philippine partner of YouGov, a globally recognized research and data analytics company.
Ms Reyes is a distinguished leader and pioneer in market research known for driving strategic forward-thinking insights that empower business and marketing professionals, including academe globally.
In 2025, she was personally honored as an Insight250 Award winner - a prestigious global recognition celebrating innovators advancing enterprise intelligence. Notably, she was the only Filipino recipient of this highly acclaimed award. Under her leadership, her firm, Synergy, has been continuously earning international distinctions for its groundbreaking thought leadership.
Prior to setting up Synergy, Ms Reyes held key directorship positions at major global organizations, including The Coca-Cola Company's Philippines Division, AC Nielsen, and prominent advertising firms such as PAC/BBDO (a subsidiary of BBDO New York) and Avellana & Associates.
She holds both a BS and Master of Statistics degrees from the University of the Philippines, Diliman.
Dr Diane Mendoza-Sarmiento
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Dr Diane S. Mendoza-Sarmiento is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the College of Education, University of Santo Tomas, where she also serves as Nutrition Clinic Coordinator and researcher at the Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences. She earned her PhD in Health Research from the University of Santo Tomas as a DOST-SEI scholar and DA-PhilRice fellowship awardee, with doctoral research examining the role of pigmented rice in reducing cardiometabolic risks.
She is active in professional organizations, previously served as a Board Member of the Philippine Association of Nutrition in 2020-2021 and 2024-2025, and currently Secretary of the Philippine Stakeholders of Nutritionist-Dietitians. She is also an associate member of the National Research Council of the Philippines.
Mr. Koichiro Watabe
R&D and Quality Assurance, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation
Mr Koichiro Watabe is currently the Associate Director of R&D and Quality Assurance at Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation. Since joining Ajinomoto Co., Inc., he has played a key role in the development and industrialization of seasonings and processed foods, contributing to projects across Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and other Asian markets."
Dr Mario V Campanzana
Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI)
Dr. Mario V. Capanzana is the Executive Director of the Philippine Center for Food and Migration Innovations (PCFMI) and a Technical Consultant of Monde Nissin Corporation. From 2005 to 2020, he was the Director of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), where he led numerous initiatives in food technology and nutrition research.
Dr. Capanzana holds a PhD in Food Science and Technology from the University of New South Wales in Australia, an MSc in Food Technology from Mysore University/CFRI in India, a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Food Science from Hawkesbury Agricultural College, and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from National University in Manila.
His outstanding contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the Civil Service Commission's Lingkod Bayan Award in 2016 and the Francisco O. Santos Memorial Award from the Philippine Association of Nutrition in 2022. He is also an active member and leader in several professional bodies, including PICHE, PAFT, PAN, and NDAP.
ORGANIZER
COLLABORATOR
CONTACT
If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us through:
Ellaine JavierILSI SEA Region Philippine Country Community
Email: ellainejavier@ilsisea.org.sg [post_title] => Science Symposium on Sodium and Health [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => sodium-philippines-2026 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-04-07 12:24:15 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-04-07 12:24:15 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://ilsisea-region.org/?post_type=event&p=31033 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => event [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 2 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 30986 [post_author] => 353 [post_date] => 2026-01-29 04:06:32 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-01-29 04:06:32 [post_content] =>
REGISTRATION
The following are the registration rates for this IN-PERSON Symposium:
| Industry (Non-ILSI SEA Region Members) | 380 SGD |
| Industry (ILSI SEA Region Members) | 330 SGD |
| Government / Academia | 280 SGD |
• Registration fees are exclusive of Eventbrite platform charges. Applicable fees will be reflected upon checkout.
• No cancellation will be allowed once the registration is confirmed. However, a substitute participant will be accepted. Click Here to Register
PROGRAM
08:00 - 08:45 hr Registration08:45 - 09:00 hr Welcome Remarks
Session 1: Understanding Sodium in the Diet 09:00 - 09:30
Sodium: State of the Science - Health, Guidelines, and Data Challenges
Prof Andrew Mente, Population Health Research Institute and Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Canada 09:30 - 10:00
Understanding Sodium Intake: History, Culture, and Dietary Sources
Prof Christiani Jeyakumar Henry, Global Centre for Asian Women's Health (GloW), NUS Medicine, Singapore
10:00 - 10:15 Q&A
10:15 - 10:35 Morning Refreshment Break / Networking
Session 2: Community and Public Health Approaches to Sodium Reduction 10:35 - 11:00 hr
Salt Substitution for Cardiovascular Health Promotion at Population Level
Prof Yangfeng Wu, Peking University Clinical Research Institute, China 11:00 - 11:20 hr
Salt Preference: Sensory and Behavioral Drivers of Salt Use and Sodium Reduction
Dr Yee How Say, Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School, Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Malaysia
11:20 - 11:40 hr
Glutamate-rich Seasonings and Educational Strategies for Better Sodium Reduction
Dr Vu Thi Thu Hien, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Vietnam
11:40 - 12:00 hr Q&A
12:00 - 12:45 hrNational Sodium Reduction Initiatives: Country Examples
Singapore
Dr Eunice Pang, Policy and Strategy Development, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore Malaysia
Dr Sivarajan Ramasamy, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia Thailand
Dr Krisada Hanbanjerd, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
12:45 - 13:00 hr Q&A
13:00 - 14:15 hr Lunch Break / Networking
Session 3: Industry and Innovative Solutions 14:15 - 14:35 hr
Guidance and Innovations for Industry on Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals
Dr Diane Mendoza-Sarmiento, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines 14:35 - 15:20 hr
Navigating Reformulation of Lower-Sodium Products: Industry Challenges, Opportunities, and Pathways 1) How low can we go: Industry Insights from Australia's Healthy Food Partnership
Ms Anne-Marie Mackintosh, Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC), Australia
2) Lower Sodium Without Compromise: Unlocking Healthier Foodservice Solutions in Southeast Asia
Mr Haibin Guo, R&D, SEA & METAP, Unilever Food Solutions, Thailand
Other Speakers TBC
15:20 - 15:40 Q&A
15:40 - 16:00 Afternoon Refreshment Break / Networking
Panel Discussion - Sodium Reduction in Southeast Asia: Aligning Policy, Food Environments, and Public Behavior 16:00 - 16:45 hr
Panel Discussion - Sodium Reduction in Southeast Asia: Aligning Policy, Food Environments, and Public Behavior Moderator:
Dr E Siong Tee, TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy, Malaysia Panelists:
Prof Datin Dr Yook-Chin Chia, Sunway University, Malaysia
Dr Terence Ng, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore
Other Panelists TBC 16:45 - 17:00 hr Closing Remarks
End of Symposium
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Prof Andrew Mente
Population Health Research Institute and Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
Dr. Andrew Mente received his doctoral degree in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto. He completed postdoctoral training in cardiovascular epidemiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, and is currently a Professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI) and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) at McMaster University.
Dr. Mente's research focuses on the role of dietary sodium in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD). His work has contributed to large international studies examining sodium intake in populations globally and its association with cardiovascular outcomes. His research has been published in several landmark journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA, and the British Medical Journal.
Dr. Mente has also studied dietary nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns in relation to cardiovascular disease and mortality, and has co-led analyses on the role of fats and carbohydrates in cardiovascular disease as part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) cohort. Recently, he developed a globally applicable healthy diet score using data from the PURE study, which was replicated in 5 independent studies involving participants across 80 countries.
Prof Christiani Jeyakumar Henry
Global Centre for Asian Women's Health (GloW), NUS Medicine, Singapore
Prof. Jeyakumar Henry is currently Senior Advisor, at GloW, National University of Singapore. He trained as a Nutritionist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and was the founding Director of the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, A*STAR, Singapore (2011-2023), and first Director of Functional Food Centre in Oxford, UK. He was a Board member of UK Food Standards Agency, and served as a consultant to UNICEF, FAO, WHO, on International Nutrition. His work on energy metabolism led to the development of the Henry Equation to predict basal metabolic rate that is used worldwide. He has been active in developing novel foods and ingredients to improve human health worldwide. He was made a Fellow of the International Academy of Food Scientists and Technologists (2012), Fellow of the British Nutrition Society (2022), and Fellow of the American Society for Nutrition (2024) - the highest award in Human Nutritional science.
Prof Yangfeng Wu
Peking University Clinical Research Institute, China
Prof Yangfeng Wu is a Professor of Epidemiology and Sciences in Clinical Research at the School of Public Health and the Clinical Research Institute of the Institute of Advanced Clinical Medicine, Peking University. He has successively presided over dozens of scientific research projects and has published over 440 papers in domestic and international medical journals, and has edited and co-edited 21 monographs in Chinese and English. He led the development of China's first cardiovascular disease risk prediction model and chaired the formulation of the "Practical Guidelines for Primary Hypertension Prevention and Treatment" and the "Chinese Guidelines on Low-Sodium Salt Use and Promotion ". He has received numerous honors, including the Ministry of Health Science and Technology Progress Award, Wu Jie Ping Medical Research Award - Paul Janssen Pharmaceutical Award, Paul Dudley White International Lecture at AHA Scientific Sessions 2012, and many others. He has served as the Director of the World Health Organization's Cardiovascular Disease Training and Cooperation Center (Beijing), the Director of The George Institute for Global Health, China and an Honorary Professor at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine. His main research focuses on the effective strategies for prevention and control of major chronic diseases.
Dr Yee How Say
Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School, Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Malaysia
Dr. Say Yee How is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School, Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Malaysia. His research focuses on nutrition and genetics in non-communicable diseases, particularly nutrigenetics, dietary behaviour, and metabolic health. His work investigates how genetic variation influences taste perception-including bitter, sweet, salty, umami, and fatty tastes-and how these differences shape dietary preferences, nutrient intake, and risk of obesity and related metabolic conditions. He is actively involved in population nutrition research, particularly studies on dietary sodium reduction and healthier food environments. His recent work includes research and intervention studies aimed at reducing salt and sugar intake in institutional and out-of-home food settings, including campus-based initiatives to improve dietary practices and cardiometabolic health. Dr. Say is also involved in the Malaysian Society for World Action on Salt, Sugar and Health (MyWASSH), a multidisciplinary initiative that promotes salt and sugar reduction strategies, public education, and policy engagement to address non-communicable diseases in Malaysia. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in international journals, including research on salt reduction interventions and population dietary behaviours, contributing to evidence-based strategies to improve nutrition and reduce chronic disease risk.
Dr Vu Thi Thu Hien
National Institute of Nutrition, Vietnam
Dr. Vu Thi Thu Hien is the Head of the Biochemistry and Nutrition Metabolism Department at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). She earned her medical degree from Hanoi Medical University in 1996, followed by a Master's degree in Nutrition from Tokushima University, Japan in 2004, and a PhD in Nutrition from Ochanomizu University, Japan in 2008. Since 2006, she has led the Biochemistry and Nutrition Metabolism Department at NIN. She has been a lecturer at Hanoi Medical University since 2011, was appointed Associate Professor in 2014, and has also been a lecturer at Nam Dinh University of Nursing since 2018. In addition, she has been an active member of the Steering Committee of the Vietnam Dietetic Association since 2019.
Dr Eunice Pang
Policy and Strategy Development, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore
Dr Eunice Pang leads in the development and implementation of regulatory policies as well as upstream food-related strategies to tackle public health issues. Her notable contributions include the implementation of the Nutri-Grade nutrition labelling system, an initiative that empowers consumers to make informed dietary choices. She is also instrumental in overseeing the sodium and saturated fat reduction strategy in response to Singapore's high prevalence of hypertension and elevated blood cholesterol. Her expertise encompasses familiarity with the food ecosystem and the translation of food and nutrition guidelines into practical implementation
Prior to her tenure at HPB, Eunice established her scientific foundation as a trained food scientist and served as a Post-Doctoral Associate in nutritional immunology at the USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA-HNRCA) in Boston, USA. This research background provides her with the scientific rigour and evidence-based approach that underpins her current policy leadership.
Dr Sivarajan Ramasamy
Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Dr. Sivarajan Ramasamy is a Public Health Medicine Specialist with the Ministry of Health Malaysia, currently leading the Cardio-Renal-Metabolic (CRM) Prevention and Control agenda under the Disease Control Division. With over 15 years of experience in population health, he plays a key role in shaping national strategies on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a strong focus on diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular health, and integrated risk factor management.
He is actively involved in the development of Malaysia's upcoming National Strategic Plan for NCD (2026-2030), driving a paradigm shift towards a more integrated, outcome-driven CRM approach. His work emphasises lifestyle intervention as first-line therapy, supported by system transformation, behavioural insights, and multi-sectoral collaboration to strengthen prevention and early intervention across the life course.
Dr. Sivarajan currently leads national efforts on sodium reduction policy within the Ministry of Health Malaysia, advancing the implementation of the Salt Reduction Strategy to Prevent and Control NCD for Malaysia (2021-2025). His work focuses on translating evidence into policy and practice, including strengthening reformulation initiatives, public awareness, and interventions targeting high-risk dietary behaviours particularly in out of home food environments. Through cross-sectoral engagement, he continues to drive innovative, scalable solutions to reduce population salt intake and improve cardiovascular health outcomes in Malaysia
Dr Krisada Hanbunjerd
Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
Dr Diane Mendoza-Sarmiento
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Dr Diane S. Mendoza-Sarmiento is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the College of Education, University of Santo Tomas, where she also serves as Nutrition Clinic Coordinator and researcher at the Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences. She earned her PhD in Health Research from the University of Santo Tomas as a DOST-SEI scholar and DA-PhilRice fellowship awardee, with doctoral research examining the role of pigmented rice in reducing cardiometabolic risks.
She is active in professional organizations, previously served as a Board Member of the Philippine Association of Nutrition in 2020-2021 and 2024-2025, and currently Secretary of the Philippine Stakeholders of Nutritionist-Dietitians. She is also an associate member of the National Research Council of the Philippines.
Ms Anne-Marie Mackintosh
Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC), Australia
Ms Anne-Marie Mackintosh is a dietitian with over 25 years' experience spanning industry, government, and healthcare. As Associate Director - Health , Trade and Regulatory Affairs at the Australian Food & Grocery Council, she helps shape nutrition policy and advocates for healthier choices. She also contributes nationally through key committees and initiatives such as the Australian Government Healthy Food Partnership. Passionate about collaboration, she's always looking for practical ways to make a positive impact on food and health.
Mr Haibin Guo
R&D, SEA & METAP, Unilever Food Solutions, Thailand
Haibin Guo is R&D Director, SEA&METAP, Unilever Food Solutions, with over 10 years of experience in research and innovation across the food and consumer goods industries. His work spans multiple sectors, including ice cream, skincare, and food service. Haibin holds master degrees from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and California Polytechnic State University in food science and dairy science. He focuses on translating consumer insights and culinary trends into scalable innovations for professional kitchens worldwide.
Dr E Siong Tee
TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy, Malaysia
Dr E Siong Tee has been a Member of the Board of Directors of ILSI SEA Region since 1996 and Scientific Coordinator of ILSI Malaysia Country Committee since 2005. He is currently a Nutrition Consultant for TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy. Dr. Tee was Head of the Cardiovascular, Diabetes and Nutrition Research Centre of the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, until his retirement in February 2002, after serving for 30 years. He was President of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) till March 2024. In this capacity, he has led the implementation of various community nutrition promotion programs including the Nutrition Month Malaysia programme since 2002. He is also Vice-President of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS). Dr Tee is a member of several Technical Working Groups of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, including the committees related to Malaysian Food Regulations and Codex Alimentarius. He initiated the formation of the Southeast Asia Public Health Nutrition (SEA-PHN) Network in 2014 and is the current Chairman of the Network. Dr Tee is also Adjunct Professor of the IMU University, Malaysia.
Prof Datin Dr Yook-Chin Chia
Sunway University, Malaysia
Prof Yook-Chin Chia is Head of the Ageing, Health and Wellbeing Research Centre (CARE) at Sunway University and is an Emeritus Professor of University of Malaya. She is a council member and the past-president of the Malaysian Society of Hypertension and is a member of the Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines on Management of Hypertension for many editions
Dr Chia is also a hypertension specialist of the European Society of Hypertension and is a member of the Asia Pacific Regional Advisory Group of the International Society of Hypertension. She is the founding president of MyWASSH, (Malaysian Society for World Action on Salt and Sugar for Health) a new non-governmental society to promote reduction of salt and sugar consumption in Malaysia. Her current research is focused on salt reduction and she has been recognized by the World Hypertension League with the 2022 Graham MacGregor Excellence Award in Dietary Salt Reduction at the Population Level
Much of her clinical work and research is on hypertension and its related cardiovascular diseases. Her current research activities are with the HOPE-Asia Network, a group of hypertension specialists from Asia. For her research activities, she was awarded the Senior Female Researcher from the International Society of Hypertension in 2022
She is also a member of editorial board of several journals and mentors young investigators on hypertension and its related cardiovascular diseases research. She has published widely and is recognised as a Top 2% Most cited Scientists in the World since 2020
Dr Terrence Ng
Innovation Office and Policy & Strategy Division, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Singapore
Dr Terence Ng is Director in the Innovation Office and the Policy and Strategy Division in the Health Promotion Board Singapore. He is responsible for the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of priority public health policy.
In addition, he also leads the design and implementation of National Healthy Population projects, which leverage pioneering capabilities of technology companies to co-innovate solutions in precision public health.
Terence is a trained sociologist and lawyer who was previously an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Francisco doing research on home and community-based care for the elderly and disabled.
ORGANIZER
COLLABORATOR
CONTACT
If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us through:
ILSI Southeast Asia Region18 Mohamed Sultan Road #03-01 Singapore 238967
Tel: 65 6352 5220
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