On 18 July 2024, the Food and Drug Administration of Thailand published in the Government Gazette the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 450) B.E. 2567 (A.D. 2024) issued under the Food Act B.E. 2522 (A.D. 1979) regarding Labeling of Prepackaged Foods.
This Notification is effective from 19 July 2024 onwards and repeals the following several previous notifications:
- Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 367) B.E. 2557 (2014) Re: Labeling of Prepackaged Foods dated 8 May B.E. 2557 (2014);
- Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 383) B.E. 2560 (2017) Re: Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (No. 2) dated 27 February B.E. 2560 (2017);
- Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 401) B.E. 2562 (2019) Re: Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (No. 3) dated 25 April B.E. 2562 (2019); and
- Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 410) B.E. 2562 (2019) Re: Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (No. 4) dated 14 August B.E. 2562 (2019).
Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 450) B.E. 2567 (2024) contains updated requirements below:
Definition Explanation:
“Expiration Date” – The date that indicates the end of the food quality under the storage conditions specified on the label. After the specified date, the food cannot be sold.
“Best Before” – The date that indicates the end of the period during which the food is still of good quality under the storage conditions specified on the label. After the specified date, the quality of the food may change, the food cannot be sold.
“Allergen” – A substance that, when entering the body, causes an abnormal reaction. Normally, the substance is harmless to most people, but it can be harmful to those who are allergic. This also includes substances that cause hypersensitivity reactions.
In cases where it is not possible to display “Best Before”, “Expiration Date”, or “Manufactured” along with the day, month and year. The text must be displayed on the label that clearly where the day, month and year of “Best Before”, “Expiration Date”, or “Manufactured” on which part of the label.
Food Labeling on Prepackaged Foods
- Prepackaged foods must have a label, except for the following of foods:
- Food that manufacturers sold directly to consumers and the manufacturer can provide information about the food produced, food hawkers, food stalls, or electronic systems etc.
- Unprocessed foods.
- Fresh food that has been processed by cutting, trimming, and packaging in a container.
- Prepackaged foods produced and sold for service in restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, or other similar establishments, including food delivery services.
- The labeling of prepackaged foods must be in Thai and may also be displayed in foreign languages.
- Labels containing text, images, artificial mark, logos, or trademarks, including registered trademarks, must not be false or misleading, either directly or indirectly.
- The label of prepackaged food must not display the name of the food, ingredients, proportions, quantities, or any claims about the food that are false or misleading in a way that deceives consumers.
- Labels affixed to food packaging must be permanent, not easily peeled off or torn, clearly visible, and easy to read.
- Labels displaying a trademark must include the words “brand”, “trademark” or “registered trademark” alongside the brand or trademark name.
However, labels that do not comply with this notification may continue to be sold, but for no more than 2 years or until 19 July 2026.