#Foodindustry

A wave of cutting-edge scientific research has triggered global alarm bells over the dangers of sugar, with health experts comparing its addictiveness and health impact to those of nicotine and even cocaine. As new findings highlight the biochemical and psychological hold of sugar on the brain, Thailand is both a consumer and battleground, taking concrete policy steps to help curb this ‘sweet danger’ before it causes a wider epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders.

A wave of recent research shows sugar can trigger addiction-like brain responses and powerful cravings. Health experts compare its impact to substances such as nicotine, underscoring a growing concern about obesity, diabetes, and mental health. Thailand is responding with strategic policies aimed at reducing sugar intake and guiding healthier choices for families.

Sugar has become pervasive in modern diets. In the United States, more than 60% of food and beverage products contain added sugars, a pattern echoed in many Asian markets as processed foods expand. The average North American consumes about 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily, far above guidelines. In Thailand, studies indicate that a large portion of the population regularly consumes sugar-sweetened beverages, contributing to rising health risks.

A sweeping US policy to phase out eight artificial food colorings by 2026 is prompting global discussions on safety and labeling. The move, led by the US FDA, targets petroleum-derived dyes and warns that the health risks may outweigh their familiar rainbow appeal in snacks, drinks, and even everyday pantry items. The policy signals a major shift in how synthetic colors are regulated worldwide, including in Thailand.

For Thai readers, the ban casts light on the hidden ingredients in many foods beyond imported sweets. Breakfast cereals, flavored yogurts, noodles, and even some pickled vegetables can contain these additives. As Thailand continues to enjoy bright, modern snacks, questions arise about how such dyes affect local diets and how producers might respond.

The US government’s bold decision to phase out a suite of artificial food dyes by 2026 has sparked global conversations about food safety and consumer protection, sending ripples across Thailand’s food industry and raising fresh questions for local parents, shoppers, and health experts. The move—unfolding under the direction of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—targets at least eight petroleum-derived synthetic colorants, with US officials warning that the dyes’ risks sharply outweigh their rainbow-hued appeal in familiar snacks, beverages, and even unexpected pantry staples.

Genesis Steakhouse & Wine Bar, a longtime staple in Houston’s Jewish dining scene and a gathering place for the Meyerland area, is closing after 12 years. The restaurant announced its final day will be April 30, 2025, following the loss of its kosher certification. The news highlights how vital certification can be to trust, menu planning, and community events.

The closure underscores the central role Genesis played in local Jewish life. Beyond a place to dine, it hosted simchas, birthdays, and holiday meals, providing a trusted option for diners who observe kosher dietary laws. The restaurant’s kosher status was revoked after the Houston Kashruth Association (HKA) determined that a missing invoice for frozen fish could not be verified during a January 2025 inspection. Owner Jason Goldstein said key staff responsible for documentation were unavailable at the time, but he maintained that all meat and fish came from certified kosher vendors and were overseen by an on-site kosher supervisor.

Genesis Steakhouse & Wine Bar, a landmark of Houston’s Jewish dining scene and a gathering place for the Meyerland area, announced its closure after 12 years in business, citing the devastating loss of its kosher certification as the turning point. The restaurant’s last day will be April 30, 2025, drawing a bittersweet close for staff and patrons who cherished its mix of tradition, food, and community events (Eater Houston).

For the Jewish community, the news hits hard. Genesis wasn’t just a steakhouse; it had become a cornerstone of local Jewish life, hosting simchas, birthdays, and holiday meals, and ensuring those who keep kosher could enjoy high-quality dining out. The closure follows a dispute with the Houston Kashruth Association (HKA), the local body responsible for kosher certification. In January 2025, after Rabbi Nosson Dubin discovered a missing invoice for frozen fish during an inspection and was not provided with the required documentation, the HKA swiftly revoked the restaurant’s kosher status. Owner Jason Goldstein explained that key staff responsible for documentation were unavailable at the time, though he maintained that all meat and fish were sourced from certified kosher vendors and overseen by an onsite kosher supervisor.

Protein has become the star macronutrient of the decade, with consumers in the United States and beyond embracing protein-rich diets at record rates. According to Cargill’s 2025 Protein Profile, in the US, a staggering 61% of consumers report actively increasing their protein intake in 2024, a substantial jump from just 48% in 2019 (Cargill, 2025). Supermarkets now brim with protein-enriched snack bars, cookies, even sodas and ice creams, while food manufacturers and social media influencers stoke the frenzy with bold claims about the benefits of high-protein diets. But as this “protein obsession” becomes a global consumer trend—advanced by viral dieting advice and evolving food industry strategies—nutrition experts are raising the alarm, warning of misunderstandings and potential health risks surrounding excessive protein consumption (San Diego Union-Tribune, 2025).

Protein has become the defining macronutrient of our era. In the United States and beyond, many people are increasing protein intake as part of everyday eating. Recent findings from a leading protein market study show that more than six in ten Americans actively boosted their protein consumption in 2024, up from about half in 2019. Supermarkets now feature protein-forward snacks, beverages, and desserts, while brands and social media amplify bold claims about high-protein diets. Nutrition experts warn that misconceptions and potential health risks can accompany this trend, underscoring the need for balanced guidance.

America’s growing obsession with protein has reached fever pitch in 2025, with supermarkets, convenience stores, and even dessert shops across the nation boasting an ever-expanding array of high-protein products. From protein-fortified candy and ice cream to sodas with muscle-boosting claims, the protein trend—supercharged by social media fitness influencers and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic—has left nutrition experts increasingly frustrated, as reported in The Wall Street Journal and reflected in recent news coverage and scientific commentary (MSN, NPR). As consumer interest in protein soars, the controversy highlights important questions about healthy diets—not only for the US, but also for countries like Thailand facing their own nutritional crossroads.

A nutrition trend fever has gripped the United States in 2025, with retailers touting protein-heavy foods from candy and ice cream to sodas promising muscle gains. The shift, amplified by fitness influencers and the growing conversation around weight-loss drugs, raises important questions about healthy eating for readers in Thailand as the country faces its own dietary crossroads.

A decade ago, protein was a quiet macronutrient in global meals. Today, marketing, low-carb regimens, and rapid social media reach have vaulted protein into the mainstream. Protein powders, bars, shakes, and even high-protein snacks are now common pantry items, driven by a belief that more protein means better health and faster weight management. Experts say this “protein arms race” reflects a broader cultural moment, not just a nutrition trend, with wide implications for dietary choices worldwide, including Thailand.