AMCHAM Food & Agri Alert: Thailand Introduces New Processed Food Category and Prohibits Konjac Mini-Cup Jelly

AMCHAM Food & Agri Alert: Thailand Introduces New Processed Food Category and Prohibits Konjac Mini-Cup Jelly

Vol. 13 of May 28, 2025

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) recently announced two significant regulatory updates concerning processed food products in Thailand:

• Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 456) B.E. 2568 (2025) Re: Labeling of Certain Types of Processed Foods.
• Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 457) B.E. 2568 (2025) Re: Prescribed Prohibited Food to be Produced, Imported, or Sold.

Both Notifications entered into force on May 3, 2025.

Key Highlights

1. Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 456) B.E. 2568 (2025) Re: Labeling of Certain Types of Processed Foods

This Notification introduces a new food category titled “Certain Types of Processed Foods.” The objective is to consolidate and simplify the regulatory framework by merging seven existing categories into a single classification. The following Notifications are now repealed:

• Notification of the Ministry of Public Health No. 44 B.E. 2523 (1978) Re: Husked Rice Flour.
• Notification of the Ministry of Public Health No. 100 B.E. 2529 (2014) Re: Labeling of Prepared Gelatin Dessert and Jelly.
• Notification of the Ministry of Public Health 200 B.E. 2543 (2000) Re: Sauce in Hermetically Sealed Containers.
• Notification of the Ministry of Public Health 224 B.E. 2544 (2001) Re: Bread.
• Notification of the Ministry of Public Health 228 B.E. 2544 (2001) Re: Chewing Gum and Candy.
• Notification of the Ministry of Public Health 237 B.E. 2544 (2001) Re: Labeling of Ready-to-Cook and Ready-to-Eat Foods.
• Notification of the Ministry of Public Health 243 B.E. 2544 (2001) Re: Meat Products.

Labeling Requirements:

Labels for products under the “Certain Types of Processed Foods” category must now comply with the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: Labeling of Prepackaged Food, as well as the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: Nutrition Labeling, and requirements regarding the declaration of energy, sugar, fat, and sodium content in GDA format, where applicable.

In addition, specific products must display mandatory warning statements:

• Prepared gelatin dessert and jelly must include the statement “Children should consume in moderation” in red text not smaller than five mm in height, within a white-backgrounded box.
• Husked Rice Flour must include the statement “Do not use as a substitute for infant formula” in red text not smaller than five mm, placed on a contrasting background directly beneath the term “Husked Rice Flour” on the label.

Transition period: Products labeled prior to the effective date may remain on the market, but only for up to two years from the enforcement date.

Action for Applicants:

• For food products licensed via the e-submission system, the Thai FDA will automatically update the product classification to the new category. No variation application is required.
• For products licensed before the implementation of the e-submission system, importers or manufacturers may be required to submit a variation application to revise the food category.

2. Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 457) B.E. 2568 (2025) Re: Prescribed Prohibited Food to be Produced, Imported, or Sold

Notification No. 457 prohibits the manufacture, import, and sale of “Ready-to-eat jelly and jelly confectionery containing glucomannan or konjac flour, packaged in small cup-shaped containers (for example, konjac mini-cup jelly) or other similar forms with a diameter or widest cross-sectional dimension not exceeding 4.5 centimeters.”

This measure addresses long-standing consumer safety concerns, particularly regarding the choking hazard associated with these products.

These regulatory updates reflect the Thai FDA’s continued commitment to improving food safety and streamlining food categorization. Food business operators, especially importers and distributors, are advised to promptly review their product portfolios and labeling to ensure compliance with the new requirements.