This draft notification of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) (No. ...) B.E. .... issued by virtue of the Food Act B.E. 2522 Re: "The Labeling of Pre- packaged foods" (No. 2) amends the details of labelling requirements of the Notification of MOPH (No. 450) Re: "The Labeling of Pre-packaged foods".
a. Exemptions for direct sales: Food sold directly to consumers where information can be provided at the point of sale (e.g., hawkers, food stalls, or e-commerce) is generally exempt from standard labeling requirements. This exemption does not apply to food additive, food for Infants, and food for infants with specific medical needs, food of follow up formula for infant in the age of six to twelve months, and food for young children, supplementary food for infants and young children, food with specific purposes and other foods, dietary supplement, food products fortified with extracts, nutrients, or synthetic compounds, other foods designated by notification of the ministry of public health specifically for the display of warnings
b. Allergen information: Addition of four allergen items: sesame and products thereof, celery and products thereof, mustard and products thereof, and lupin and products thereof. Labels must clearly state "Information for food allergy: contains..." for ingredients or "Information for food allergy: may contain..." for potential cross-contamination. Exclude lactose from the allergen declaration.
c. Food additive information: Exception is made in the case of food additives with more than one function; other functions may be displayed as necessary based on their technological needs, provided that the quantity used is in accordance with the purpose of those functions. Additionally, the display of functional classes is exempted for carriers and packaging gases.
d. Digital labeling: Producers may use digital labels to provide food information, provided the system is continuously accessible and maintained. Essential details, for example, the food name, serial number, manufacturer address, and allergen information, must still be physically displayed on the container. A voluntary digital labeling measure is established for food products excluding the following seven categories: food for infants, and food for infants with specific medical needs, food of follow up formula for infant in the age of six to twelve months, and food for young children, supplementary food for infants and young children, food with specific purposes and other foods, dietary supplement, food products fortified with extracts, nutrients, or synthetic compounds.
e. The labeling of food composed in a container. Containers holding multiple food items (e.g., gift baskets or monk offerings) must have a Thai label listing all items, the earliest expiration date among them, and warnings if products might react harmfully with one another.
f. Transition period: Labels that do not comply with these new regulations may still be used for up to three years after the notification becomes effective.