FDA Food License Service in Bangkok, Thailand
In Thailand, the general law governing food quality and integrity is the Food Act B.E. 2522 (A.D. 1979) ("Food Act"). The Food Act is applicable to the manufacture and importation of food for sale in Thailand. Manufacturers and importers are required to obtain licenses prior to manufacturing and/or importing food into Thailand.
As prescribed in the act, “Food” means edible item and those which sustain life:
- Substance can be eaten, drunk, sucked or gotten in to the body either by mouth or by other means, no matter in what form, but not including medicine, psychotropic substances, narcotic under the law as the case may be.
- Substance intended for use or to be used as ingredients in the production or food including food additive, coloring and flavoring.
For licensing purpose, the food act classifies food into Three main categories:
- Specially controlled:
- Standardize Foods:
- Other Food products:
The food product under this category requires registration with Food and drug administration department. Legal provision has been laid out with regards to standard quality, specifications, packaging and labeling requirements, as well as other aspects of good manufacturing practice.
Standard food does not need product registration; however, their quality and standard have to meet the specific requirement set forth by Food and Drug administration department.
Foods under this category although does not need to register the producer, however, requires to meet standard relating to hygiene, labeling and advertisement. Foods in this category is further divided into
- a) Foods required to bear standardized label
- b) Other general
Application for FDA License:
The application process is performed as below:
- a) Approval of premises and Import License:
Manufacturing License: The plant layout has to be submitted for approval. Onsite inspection will be performed by the officer before manufacturing license is approved and issued. Once license is issued it is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance
Importing License: Food Import license has to be applied to import food products into Thailand. A license holder importer can import various kind of food product provided that those products are approved by Thai FDA. The designated storage or warehouse has to be inspected and approved by FDA official before issuance of license. Once license is issued validity remain for 3 years’ time period from the date of issuance.
- b) Product registration:
Foods product which comes under specially controlled category, either to be imported or manufactured in Thailand, has to be registered with Thai FDA. The details with regards to process of manufacturing and ingredient are required for the product registration process and standard of the food should meet requirement set out by the ministry of health.
- c) Labelling Approval:
Food labelling should be done in accordance with the standard prescribed by Thai FDA department prior to sell in the market. Depending on the food category type label has to be approved by Thai FDA. For example, dietary supplements are required to bear labels containing Thai language and subject to Thai FDA approval prior to launch product for selling in the market. Food products categorized under general category have to follow specification as per Ministry of public health notification.
- d) Advertisement approval:
Anyone wishing to advertise usefulness, qualities, or properties of food by radio, television, film, newspapers or other printed matters or by other means for commercial purposes, such person must submit sound, pictures, films or texts of advertisement to the authority for consideration and receiving permission prior to advertise.
FDA Inspection
Thai FDA ensures food distributed to the consumer are wholesome and meet quality standard by conducting Inspection which can be regular inspection or petitioned inspection.
Get in touch with us to get more information