Thailand Food & Drug Administration Update: Hemp and Cannabis Food Product Regulations

On May 24, AMCHAM’s Food and Agri-Business Committee hosted a virtual event titled Thailand Food & Drug Administration Update: Hemp and Cannabis Food Product Regulations. AMCHAM Food and Agri-Business Committee Co-Chair Alan Adcock, Partner and Deputy Director, Intellectual Property, Tilleke & Gibbins introduced guest speaker Dr. Sayan Ruadrew, Food and Drug Technical Officer, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who is a leading expert in Cannabis, its derivatives, and food safety.

Noting the strides, the Thai FDA is making in preparing for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food products regulations for this new industry, Dr. Sayan talked about Thai FDA’s preparations for food products containing hemp and cannabis derivatives. He gave an overview on the Ministry of Public Health Notifications issued by the Narcotic Act of 1979 and the Food Act of 1979, its provisions, inclusions, and exclusions. The Thai Public Ministry of Health has amended the Prohibited Food Notification to include the use of some parts of the cannabis plant, namely hemp, as an ingredient in food products in accordance with the applicable MOPH regulations, to be produced only by licensed business operators in Thailand. The notification implies that the importation of cannabis/hemp including products containing them shall follow the Narcotics law.

He further spoke on the scope of the regulation, key provisions, and prohibitions under MOPH Notification no. 424 regarding food products that are produced, imported, and sold in Thailand. He spoke about MOPH notification 425, regarding hemp seeds and its products. The regulation defines quality standards for products using hemp seeds and its derivatives, and prescribed warnings that shall be declared on the food labels.

The event was followed by a question-and-answer session with AMCHAM members. A recording of the event is available on the AMCHAM Member Portal.