New Food Labeling Laws Enforced in Thailand
Manufacturers and importers need to prepare and be ready to use new labels that comply with Thai Ministry of Public Health Notification No.367 (2014).
Rutherford, NJ, April 02, 2016 --(PR.com)-- From December 2, 2016, labels on pre-packed foods in Thailand must comply with Thai Ministry of Public Health Notification No.367 (2014), marking the end of a two-year transition period. Manufacturers and importers need to prepare and be ready to use new labels that comply.
SGS Food Label Review services [link to: http://www.sgs.com/en/agriculture-food/food/retail-and-hospitality/food-label-reviews] can support food processors, manufacturers and importers in achieving compliance.
The new regulation in Thailand has increased the labeling requirements for pre-packed foods. In addition to the previous rules, Thai Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 367 (2014) also stipulates that:
· Text on the label of pre-packed food shall be in the Thai language, specify the ingredients of the food, especially food allergens, and declarations of the functional class titles of food additives
· Labels must display the words “should consume by” accompanied by the day, month and year when the shelf life of a product is not longer than 90 days, or display the day, month and year - when shelf life of a product is longer than 90 days
· Text appearing on labels shall be prominent and readily legible
· Words or text, pictures, pictorials, invented designs, marks, brands or trademarks, or registered trade marks in any language which appear on label shall not falsehood or deceptive to create gullibility or misleading of important characteristics of food.
· Labels must be presented for claims of substances or other compositions in food, such as the substances shall not be prohibited substances regarding the Notification of Ministry of Public Health
Additional specifications in the new regulation are related to the text of information relating to food allergies. It states eight types of allergens or hypersensitivity substances:
-Cereals containing gluten such as wheat, rye, barley, oat, spelt, or their hybridized strains and their products
-Crustaceans such as crab, shrimp, mantis shrimp, lobster and their products
-Eggs and egg products
-Fish and fish products
-Peanut, soybean and their products
-Milk and dairy products including lactose
-Tree nuts and their products such as almond, walnut, pecan
-Sulfite at a concentration of 10 mg/kg or more
The presence of these allergens in food products must be declared as follows:
When used as ingredients in food, the label must state “contains …”
When there is potential for contamination during processing, the label must state “may contain …”
This Regulation came into force on December 3, 2014. Manufacturers or importers of food for which labels have been made prior to this date can extend their use for up to two years. However, the two-year transition period will come to an end on December 2, 2016.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the food industry. Read the full Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 367 Introduces and Enforces New Food Labeling Rules in Thailand [link to: http://www.sgs.com/en/news/2016/03/safeguards-05416-ministry-of-public-health-notification-no-367-introduces-and-enforces-new-food] SafeGuardS Subscribe [link to: http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Safeguards.aspx] to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.
SGS Food Safety Services
Leveraging our global network of laboratories and food experts, SGS provides a comprehensive range of food safety and quality solutions [link to: www.foodsafety.sgs.com] including analytical tests, audits, certifications, inspections, and technical support. We continually invest in our testing, capability, and state-of-the art technology to help you reduce risk, and to improve food safety and quality.
For further information contact:
Jennifer Buckley
Global Food Marketing Manager
SGS North America Inc.
Email: food@sgs.com
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world.
SGS Food Label Review services [link to: http://www.sgs.com/en/agriculture-food/food/retail-and-hospitality/food-label-reviews] can support food processors, manufacturers and importers in achieving compliance.
The new regulation in Thailand has increased the labeling requirements for pre-packed foods. In addition to the previous rules, Thai Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 367 (2014) also stipulates that:
· Text on the label of pre-packed food shall be in the Thai language, specify the ingredients of the food, especially food allergens, and declarations of the functional class titles of food additives
· Labels must display the words “should consume by” accompanied by the day, month and year when the shelf life of a product is not longer than 90 days, or display the day, month and year - when shelf life of a product is longer than 90 days
· Text appearing on labels shall be prominent and readily legible
· Words or text, pictures, pictorials, invented designs, marks, brands or trademarks, or registered trade marks in any language which appear on label shall not falsehood or deceptive to create gullibility or misleading of important characteristics of food.
· Labels must be presented for claims of substances or other compositions in food, such as the substances shall not be prohibited substances regarding the Notification of Ministry of Public Health
Additional specifications in the new regulation are related to the text of information relating to food allergies. It states eight types of allergens or hypersensitivity substances:
-Cereals containing gluten such as wheat, rye, barley, oat, spelt, or their hybridized strains and their products
-Crustaceans such as crab, shrimp, mantis shrimp, lobster and their products
-Eggs and egg products
-Fish and fish products
-Peanut, soybean and their products
-Milk and dairy products including lactose
-Tree nuts and their products such as almond, walnut, pecan
-Sulfite at a concentration of 10 mg/kg or more
The presence of these allergens in food products must be declared as follows:
When used as ingredients in food, the label must state “contains …”
When there is potential for contamination during processing, the label must state “may contain …”
This Regulation came into force on December 3, 2014. Manufacturers or importers of food for which labels have been made prior to this date can extend their use for up to two years. However, the two-year transition period will come to an end on December 2, 2016.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the food industry. Read the full Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 367 Introduces and Enforces New Food Labeling Rules in Thailand [link to: http://www.sgs.com/en/news/2016/03/safeguards-05416-ministry-of-public-health-notification-no-367-introduces-and-enforces-new-food] SafeGuardS Subscribe [link to: http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Safeguards.aspx] to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.
SGS Food Safety Services
Leveraging our global network of laboratories and food experts, SGS provides a comprehensive range of food safety and quality solutions [link to: www.foodsafety.sgs.com] including analytical tests, audits, certifications, inspections, and technical support. We continually invest in our testing, capability, and state-of-the art technology to help you reduce risk, and to improve food safety and quality.
For further information contact:
Jennifer Buckley
Global Food Marketing Manager
SGS North America Inc.
Email: food@sgs.com
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world.
Contact
SGS
Jennifer Buckley
+1 973 461 1498
www.sgs.com
Jennifer Buckley
+1 973 461 1498
www.sgs.com
Contact
Categories