LRPS-2026-9203692 Cost-benefit assessment of the Act to Regulate the Marketing of Food and Beverages Affecting Children’s Health in Thailand

UNICEF is seeking an institutional contractor to support conduct a cost–benefit assessment of the Act to Regulate the Marketing of Food and Beverages Affecting Children’s Health. Background In response to rising rates of overweight and obesity in Thailand, the Department of Health (DoH), Ministry of Health, has drafted an Act to Regulate the Marketing of Food and Beverages Affecting Children’s Health. The purpose of the Act is to reduce children’s exposure to the marketing of unhealthy food and beverage and improve children’s diets. Exposure to advertising for unhealthy foods has been shown to influence what and when children eat, shape their food preferences, and contribute to overweight, obesity, and diet-related non-communicable diseases in later life. The Act is a critical component of a broader package of interventions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to address obesity and non‑communicable diseases in Thailand. Developed over more than five years through an extensive consultative process, including public hearings, the Act is currently awaiting the signature of the Minister of Public Health. It includes eight key measures to restrict the marketing of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) to children and adolescents up to 18 years of age, as outlined below. Labelling: Packaging must not use techniques that appeal to children, such as cartoons or child-targeted text, and must display clear, easy-to-understand symbols indicating high levels of fat, sugar, or salt. Value-for-money claims: Labels and marketing materials for HFSS products must not include statements suggesting value for money, whether in retail, wholesale, or e-commerce settings. Sales restrictions in schools: HFSS foods, drinks, and snacks will be prohibited in educational institutions below the tertiary level. Advertising bans: Advertising of HFSS products shall be prohibited across all communication channels, including television, radio, online media, billboards, public tran