The term "Food for Heath” refers to foods that have been scientifically proven to have specific health benefits, and that are presently commercially available.

In order to promote global science and technology in this field, as well as the development of the food industry, Prof. Chen Junshi, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Professor Luo Yunbo, Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology, have together initiated this Boao Health Food Science Conference & Expo (FHE) to be held from February 22-25, 2023, in Hainan, China. They are joined by some ten Academy members and numerous other experts in the field.

FHE, as the world's first high level dialogue to focus on the scientific evidence of the health benefits of food, is aiming at disseminating scientific evidence, promoting international exchange and cooperation, and facilitating the development of a science-based food for health industry. The FHE will serve as an international platform to discuss the evidence of the health benefits of all types of foods, as demonstrated from basic scientific research to product development and marketing, and to post-marketing research, and regulatory control.

FHE is jointly organized by the Shanghai JS Life Sciences Institute, the Special Food Research Center of China Agricultural University, the Hainan Yuanchuang Active Health Industry Development Research Institute. It has also received the support of the Administration of Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, Hainan Province.The Food Safety Standards and Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the National Health Commission of the Peoplejs Republic of China, the Special Food Safety Supervision and Management Department of the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Development and Reform Commission of Hainan Province, and the Hainan Provincial Health Commission. Senior experts, scientists, and academics from some 30 enterprises, research institutes and universities will be invited to share cutting-edge research achievements and technologies. Twelve thematic workshops will be led and organized by some 30 leading businesses, among them Danone, Nestle, Wyeth, Abbott, Herbalife, DSM, Unilever, Cargill, PepsiCo, IFF, Mondelez, Yihai Kerry, and GeneHarbor, etc.

It is expected that around 3,000 people involved in the field of food for health will attend and discuss the development of its science and technology, as well as the industryzs development. Events will be organized following a 3+X model, i.e. three main activities (Senior Scientists Forum, Thematic Workshops, and the Expo), and zXl exchanges between Academy members, experts, government officials and business representatives. It is hoped that the science behind food for health will become more widely known, that international exchanges and cooperation will be encouraged, and that the development of enterprises in the food for health field will be facilitated.

The Forum has laid out four main themes, i.e. policies and regulations; new products and technologies; products with disease risk reduction claims; and Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP). Based on these themes, there will be 15 break-out sessions on topics such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMO), human milk fatty acids (HMF), nicotinamide mononucleotide and nicotinamide ribosides (NMN and NR), meal replacements, and DRR products, such as oats, whole grains, soy bean and FSMP for cancers, rare diseases and food allergies. These will be led and organized by some 30 leading enterprises, among them Danone, Nestle, Wyeth, Abbott, Herbalife, DSM, Unilever, Cargill, PepsiCo, IFF, Mondelez, Yihai Kerry, and GeneHarbor, etc.. Over 100 senior experts and scientists from enterprises and universities will be invited to share cutting-edge research achievements and technologies in this field.

The exhibition will cover an area of 5,000 square meters. Approximately 300 companies from around the world will exhibit their products, including regular foods, infant formulas, health (functional) foods, food for special medical purposes (FSMP), foods for sports nutrition, dietary supplements, and TCM foods (substances used both as food and traditional Chinese medicine). This will be a showcase of research achievements and new technologies, and opportunities for promoting brands, and so will encourage exchange and cooperation in both.

The FHE aims to set up an international platform for dialogue between government, academia and industry to discuss policies and technologies in foods for special medical purposes (FSMP) and health (functional) foods, in order to facilitate the importation of these food products and introduce new technologies into China. Such exchanges will add impetus to China's development in the field, so that its food for health industry will align with the worlds.

This gathering will enable the establishment of a Committee to select experts on special foods for medical purposes for the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone of the Hainan Free Port. This will speed up preliminary trials in Hainan on foods for special purposes that are already marketed abroad, and will open up commercial avenues for them.

The FHE will also showcase the excellent commercial environment of Hainan, its preferential policies, resources and cost efficiency for the growth of new technologies in the field of food for health. Thematic workshop discussions will look into the specific issues facing Hainan, so as to advance proprietary innovations and production of special food ingredients. This will create a new scientific IP recognized internationally, and give Hainan prominence in the industry. AU these efforts will make Boao Lecheng into a new national and international centre for foods for health.