Notifications for Thailand (694 notifications)

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 2 April 2020, the suspension for importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Laos has expired on 1 July 2020. However, the OIE has reported a continued outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in area of Laos. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF) disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Laos is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (24 July 2020).

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 2 April 2020, the suspension for importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Germany has expired on 1 July 2020. However, the OIE has reported a continued outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in area of Germany. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Germany is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (24 July 2020).

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 2 April 2020, the suspension for importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Cambodia has expired on 1 July 2020. However, there are reported a continued outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in area of Cambodia. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF) disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Cambodia is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (24 July 2020).

Based on the government policy to promote hemp plant as economic crops by exemption some parts of hemp plant, mentioned in the Notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding the List of Narcotic Drug Schedule 5 under the Thai Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979), especially non-viable hemp seed allowed to be used in food industries under Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979). The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) considered the hemp seed, hemp seed oil that are allowed to  be used as food ingredient must follow the food laws and fit purpose for human consumption. Therefore, the draft Notification of MOPH entitled "Hemp seed, hemp seed oil, hemp seed protein, and food supplement containing hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein" has been issued as follows:Clause 1 – Hemp seed, hemp seed oil, hemp seed protein, and food supplement containing hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein shall be a specifically controlled food.Clause 2 – For this notification, the following definitions are provided;"Hemp seed" means seed from hemp plant, of which  the scientific name is Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa"Hemp seed oil" means glycerides of fatty acids obtained from hemp seed."Hemp seed protein" means organic compounds, which are large molecules made of amino acids and can provide 4 calories of energy from 1 gram obtained from dehulled hemp seed or hemp seed meal after pressing hemp seed oil extraction.  "Food supplement containing hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein" means products taken for consumption other than conventional foods which contain hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein as ingredients. Such products  are in the forms of tablets, capsules, powders, flakes, liquids or other; which are not the same as the conventional foods. The Products are for consumers who expect the benefit of health promotion.Clause 3 – Requirements for hemp seed1) Producers, importers, or sellers of viable hemp seed shall receive license for production, import, sale, or possession under the Ministerial Regulation regarding Narcotic Drug Schedule 5 for hemp.2) Quality and standard of hemp seed used in food product shall be as follows:2.1) Shall be non-viable seed as required by the Notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding List of Narcotic Drug Schedule 5 under the Thai Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979);2.2) Contaminants shall not exceed the maximum limits as specified in the Notification of MOPH regarding standard of foods contained contaminants and as of the following requirements;(1) Cadmium shall not exceed 0.3 milligram per 1 kilogram of hemp seed on the dry weight basis.(2) Lead shall not exceed 10 milligrams per 1 kilogram of hemp seed on the dry weight basis.2.3) The following substances shall not exceed the specified limits;(1) Total Tetrahydrocannabinols (Total THC) shall not exceed 5 milligrams per 1 kilogram of hemp seed on the dry weight basis.(2) Cannabidiol (CBD) shall not exceed 30 milligrams per 1 kilogram of hemp seed on the dry weight basis.The analytical method for Total THC and CBD shall comply with rules and methods as described in the annex 1 of this notification2.4) Pesticide residues shall not exceed the maximum limits as specified in the Notification of MOPH regarding Food Containing Pesticide Residues3) Hemp seed which qualities and standards complied with this notification shall be allowed to be used for the production of hemp seed oil, hemp seed protein, or food supplement only. Use of hemp seed in other food shall be complied with relevant Notification issued by the Thai FDA.Clause 4 – Requirements for food premises of hemp seed oil or hemp seed protein or food supplement containing hemp seed1) Producers of hemp seed oil or hemp seed protein or food supplement containing hemp seed shall comply with the following requirements as the case maybe;1.1) In case that viable hemp seed is processed to be non-viable hemp seed in the food premise, the producer shall receive license for possession under the regulations of Narcotic Drug Schedule 5 for hemp. In addition, the production of hemp seed oil or hemp seed protein shall be complied with the notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding Production Processes, Production Equipments, and Foods Storages.1.2) In case that non-viable hemp seed is directly used in the food premise, the production of hemp seed oil or hemp seed protein shall be complied with the notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding Production Processes, Production Equipments, and Foods Storages.Producers shall maintain records of hemp seed oil quantity used in the production of hemp seed oil or hemp seed protein or food supplement containing hemp seed.Clause 5 – Requirements for hemp seed oil1)        The production processes of hemp seed oil shall be a mechanical process by pressing or other mechanical process approved by Thai FDA, being purified by washing with water, setting, filtering or centrifuging.2) Quality and standard of hemp seed oil shall be as follows:2.1) Colour, odour and flavour inherent of that specific characteristics of hemp seed oil and free from foreign matter and rancid odour;2.2) Saponification value shall be 184-205 mg KOH/g oil;2.3) Iodine value shall be 153-167 by Wijs;2.4) Unsaponifiable Matter shall not exceed 15 g/ kg oil;2.5) Acid value shall not exceed 4.0 mg KOH/g oil. In case of the acid value is expressed as percentage of free fatty acid, a conversion of percentage of free fatty acid to acid value shall comply with this requirement;2.6) Peroxide value shall not exceed 15 milliequivalent of active oxygen/kg oil;2.7) Water and volatile matter at 105°C shall not exceed 0.2% m/m;2.8) Soap content shall not exceed 0.005 % m/m;2.9) Insoluble impurities shall not exceed 0.05% m/m;2.10) Chemical and physical characteristics of hemp seed oil shall be complied with requirements specified in this notification;2.11) Fatty acid composition of hemp seed oil shall be complied with requirements specified in Annex 2 of this notification. In case of different fatty acid composition with Annex 2, it shall be approved by Thai FDA;2.12) Contaminants shall not exceed the maximum limits as specified in the Notification of MOPH regarding standard of foods contained contaminants;2.13) The following substances shall not exceed the specified limits;(1) Total Tetrahydrocannabinols (Total THC) shall not exceed 10 milligrams per 1 kilogram of hemp seed oil.(2) Cannabidiol (CBD) shall not exceed 75 milligrams per 1 kilogram of hemp seed oil.The analytical method for Total THC and CBD shall comply with rules and methods as described in the annex 1 of this notification(3) Free of mineral oil(4) Iron shall not exceed 5.0 milligrams per 1 kilogram of hemp seed oil.(5) Copper shall not exceed 0.4 milligrams per 1 kilogram of hemp seed oil.2.14) Pathogens shall not exceed the maximum limits as specified in the Notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding Standards of Pathogenic Microorganisms in Food;2.15) Food additives, containers, and labelling for hemp seed oil shall be complied with the relevant Notifications of Ministry of Public Health.3) Hemp seed oil which qualities and standards complied with this notification shall be allowed to use as an ingredient in food supplement only. Use of hemp seed oil in other food shall be approved by Thai FDA.Clause 6 – Requirements for hemp seed protein1) The production processes of hemp seed protein shall be a mechanical process or chemical process for separating protein from dehulled hemp seed oil or hemp seed meal as by-product of hemp seed oil production, and being milled to be powder form.2) Quality and standard of hemp seed protein shall be as follows:2.1) Colour, odour and flavour inherent of that specific characteristics of hemp seed protein and free from foreign matter;2.2) Moisture not more than 10%;2.3) Protein content shall be followed as the case maybe;(1) not less than 30% in the case of protein from hemp seed or hemp seed meal(2) not less than 65% in the case of hemp seed protein concentrate(3) More than 90% in the case of hemp seed protein isolate2.4) Contaminants shall not exceed the maximum limits as specified in the Notification of MOPH regarding standard of foods contained contaminants;2.5) Following substances shall not exceed requirements;(1) Total Tetrahydrocannabinols (Total THC) shall not exceed 5 milligrams per 1 kilogram and Cannabidiol (CBD) shall not exceed 30 milligrams per 1 kilogram of hemp seed protein in the case of protein from hemp seed or hemp seed meal.(2) Total Tetrahydrocannabinols (Total THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) shall not detect in the case of hemp seed protein concentrate and hemp seed protein isolateThe analytical method for Total THC and CBD shall comply with rules and methods as described in the annex 1 of this notification2.6) Pathogens shall not exceed the maximum limits as specified in the Notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding Standards of Pathogenic Microorganisms in Food;2.7) Food additives, containers, and labelling for hemp seed protein shall be complied with the relevant Notifications of Ministry of Public Health3) Hemp seed protein which qualities and standards complied with this notification shall be allowed to use as an ingredient in food supplement only. Use of hemp seed protein in other food shall be approved by Thai FDA.Clause 7 – Requirements for food supplement containing hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein.1) Quality and standard of food supplement containing hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein shall be as follows:1.1) Active ingredient shall be followed as the case maybe;(1) Hemp seed shall comply with quality and standard specified in this notification ; and the quantity present in the food supplement shall be according to the permitted of  the authority(2) Hemp seed oil shall comply with quality and standard specified in this notification ; and the quantity present in the food supplement shall be according to the permitted of  the authority(3) Hemp seed protein shall comply with quality and standard specified in this notification ; and the quantity present in the food supplement shall be according to the permitted of  the authority1.2) Contaminants shall not exceed the maximum limits as specified in the Notification of MOPH regarding standard of foods contained contaminants;1.3) Following substances shall not exceed requirements;(1) Total Tetrahydrocannabinols (Total THC) shall not exceed 5 milligrams per 1 kilogram of food.(2) Cannabidiol (CBD) shall not exceed 30 milligrams per 1 kilogram of food.The analytical method for Total THC and CBD shall comply with rules and methods as described in the annex 1 of this notification1.4) Pathogen shall be detected not more than following limits;(1) Staphylococcus aureus shall not be detected in 0.1 gram of food(2) Clostridium spp. shall not be detected in 0.1 gram of food(3) Escherichia coli shall be detected less than 3 per 1 gram of food by Most Probable Number method.1.5) Production, food additive and package for food supplement containing hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein shall be complied with relevant Notifications of Ministry of Public Health;2) Labelling of food supplement containing hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein shall be complied with the Notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding labelling of prepackaged foods, and the following requirements as the case maybe:2.1) Names of food, "food supplements" shall be displayed as a part of, or accompanying with the name.2.2) Food supplement quantities shall be expressed as the case may be, as follows:(1) Food supplement in form of tablets or capsules expressed as the number per pack.(2) Food supplement in form of liquid expressed as net volume.(3) Food supplement in form of solid or others expressed as net weight.2.3) Name and quantity of main ingredients of food supplement in descending orders;2.4) Following statements with obvious letters shall be declared;(1) "This product provides omega-6 fatty acid, namely Linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acid, namely Gamma-Linolenic Acid. One capsule contains hemp seed oil…(specify).. milligrams consisting of Linoleic acid …(specify).. milligrams, Gamma-Linolenic Acid …(specify).. milligrams" in the case that hemp seed or hemp seed oil is used as the active ingredient.(2) "Should eat varieties of five categories of food in an appropriate proportion"(3) "Warning" by letters not less than 1.5 mm in a rectangular frame, with the frame colour in contrast to the  label background(4) "Children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women should not consume"(5) "If getting irregular symptoms, stop eating immediately"(6) "May contain THC and CBD substance, allergic person or person with hypersensitivity to these substances shall be aware"  (7) "No effect for prevention or cure of diseases" with bold letter which colour of the letters contrast with background frame.(8) "Information for food allergy: contain protein from hemp seed" in the case that hemp seed or hemp seed protein is an ingredient in the food.(9) Other statements specified by Thai FDA3) Nutrition claims for food supplement containing hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein shall be complied with the Notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding nutrition labelling.4) Health claim for food supplement containing hemp seed, hemp seed oil, or hemp seed protein shall be complied with the Notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding health claim.Clause 8 – Any claim regarding type or quantity of total THC and CBD substances including health claims related to total THC and CDB substances in food shall be prohibited. Clause 9 – This notification shall come into force as from the day following date of its publication in the Government Gazette.This draft Ministry of Public Health Notification was also notified under the TBT Notification.

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) considered the   existing Notifications of Ministry of Public Health regarding prescribed plants, animals, or parts of plant or animal which are prohibited to be used in food and deemed it necessary to be revised based on current scientific evidence proving that some compound or substances in particular plants, animals, or parts of plants or animals are hazardous for human consumption. Hence, to protect consumer health based on scientific support, particular plants, animals, or parts of plant or animal are prohibited to be used in food.  Clause 1 – The Notification of MOPH (No. 378) B.E. 2559 (2016) Re: Prescribed plants, animals, or parts of plant or animal which are prohibited to be used in food shall be repealed.Clause 2 – Prescribed plants, animals, or parts of plant or animal in annex of this draft notification are prohibited to be produced, imported or sold.Clause 3 – This notification shall not apply to product produced or imported for export only. Clause 4 – This notification shall come into force as from the day following date of its publication in the Government Gazette.

Following the reported outbreak of Avian Influenza (HPAI) from Csongrad and Bacs-Kiskun (Serotype H5N8) of Hungary, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of AI disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Csongrad and Bacs-Kiskun of Hungary is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after date of publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (30 May 2020)

Following the reported outbreak of Avian Influenza (HPAI) in BEKES (Serotype H5N8) of Hungary, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of    AI disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from BEKES of Hungary is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after date of publication in the Thai Royal Gazette  (28 May 2020)

Following the reported outbreak of Avian Influenza (HPAI) from South Carolina (Serotype H5N8) of The United States, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of AI disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from the United States is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after date of publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (30 May 2020)

The Draft Ministry of Public Health Notification entitled "Maximum levels for contaminants and toxins in food", as previously notified in G/SPS/N/THA/263 dated 14 February 2019, was adopted and published in the Royal Gazette dated 20 May 2020.Date of entry into force: After 180 days of its publication in the Royal Gazette (16 November 2020).Text available at:http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2563/E/118/T_0017.PDF (Thai)

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 5 February 2020, the suspension for importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from India has expired on 5 May 2020. However, the OIE has reported  a continued outbreak of Avian Influenza (HPAI) in some areas of India. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of Avian Influenza (HPAI) disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from India is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (18 May 2020).

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 24 December 2019, the suspension for importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Poland has expired on 23 March 2020. However, the OIE has reported a continued outbreak of African Swine Fever in Wielkopolskie province and Lubuskie province of Poland. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Poland is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (18 May 2020).

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 24 December 2019, the suspension for importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Hungary has expired on 23 March 2020. However, the OIE has reported a continued outbreak of African Swine Fever in Heves province and Nograd province of Hungary. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Hungary is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (18 May 2020).

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 24 December 2019, the suspension for importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Myanmar has expired on 23 March 2020. However, the OIE has reported a continued outbreak of African Swine Fever in Shan State and Kachin State in the Myanmar. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Myanmar   is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (18 May 2020).

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 24 December 2019, the suspension for importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Taiwan has expired on 23 March 2020. However, the OIE has reported a continued outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Yunlin City (Serotype H5N2) and Tainan City (Serotype H5N2) of Taiwan. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of AI disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Taiwan is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after date of publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (18 May 2020) except the feathers and down of poultry that have been processed in the approved establishment by the DLD and these commoditiesthat have been processed to ensure the destruction of avian influenza virus recommended by OIE terrestrial Animal Health code topics 10.4.22 and 10.4.23 which use one of the following methods: - washed and steam-dried at 100ºC for 30 minutes; - fumigation with formalin (10% formaldehyde) for 8 hours; - irradiation with a dose of 20 kilogray.

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 24 December 2019, the suspension for importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from China has expired on 23 March 2020. However, the OIE has reported    a continued outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Sichuan province (Serotype H5N6) and Hunan province (Serotype H5N1) of China. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of AI disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from China is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after date of publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (18 May 2020) except the feathers and down of poultry that have been processed in the approved establishment by the DLD and these commoditiesthat have been processed to ensure the destruction of avian influenza virus recommended by OIE terrestrial Animal Health code topics 10.4.22 and 10.4.23 which use one of the following methods: - washed and steam-dried at 100ºC for 30 minutes; - fumigation with formalin (10% formaldehyde) for 8 hours; - irradiation with a dose of 20 kilogray.

According to the announcement of the Government Gazette dated 24 December 2019, the suspension for importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Poland has expired on 23 March 2020. However, the OIE has reported a continued outbreak of African Swine Fever in Wielkopolskie province and Lubuskie province of Poland. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live domestic and wild pigs and their carcasses from Poland is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after publication in the    Thai Royal Gazette (18 May 2020).

Following the reported outbreak of Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Vinnitsa province (Serotype H5) in the Ukraine, it is necessary for Thailand to prevent the entry of AI disease into the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Ukraine is temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days after date of publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (29April 2020).

Following the outbreak of African Horse Sickness in many provinces in Thailand including Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Chon Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi, the DLD has reported cases to OIE. It is necessary for Thailand to prevent the introduction and spread of African Horse Sickness in the country. By the virtue of Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), the importation or transit of live horse, donkey, mule, camel, zebra and other animals in family Equidae and other carcasses from all countries, excluding countries with African Horse Sickness free status officially recognized by the OIE, is prohibited from the date after the publication in the Thai Royal Gazette (12 May 2020).

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, notified in G/SPS/N/THA/216 dated on 23 July 2013, has been adopted as notification of ACFS regarding Peanut Kernel: Maximum Level of Aflatoxin in the Official Gazette dated 7 January B.E. 2559 (2016) as notified in G/SPS/N/TH/216/Add.1 dated 3 February 2016 .ACFS is proposing to revise the ACFS Notification concerning "List of International Standards Conforming to Mandatory Standards", dated 3 April 2020 (B.E. 2563) as follows:1.    ACFS Notification entitle : List of International Standards conforming to Mandatory Standards, dated 17 July B.E. 2560 (2017) and ACFS Notification entitle : List of International Standards Conforming to Mandatory Standards (No. 2), dated 26 September B.E. 2560 (2017) shall be repealed;2.    International Standards conforming to the Ministerial Regulation on the Establishment of Thai Agricultural Standard on Peanut Kernel: Maximum Level of Aflatoxin as mandatory standard B.E. 2558 (2015) are as follows:2.1 Either the system standards or production system standards, namely :      2.1.1 Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) complied with Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene or equivalent;      2.1.2 Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP) complied with Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene or equivalent;      2.1.3 Food Safety Management System (FSMS) complied with ISO/IEC 220002.2 Aflatoxin analytical standards established by national organization or international organizations such as Codex Alimentarius (Codex), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), AOAC International (AOAC) or analytical methods published in manual or international journals or analytical methods with the validation results obtained through the acknowledge procedures.This notification shall come into force after ninety days from the date of its announced (2 July 2020).

According to the Thailand s notification, G/SPS/N/THA/313, circulated on 20 May 2020, final date for comments should be corrected to read as follows:60 days from the date of circulation of the notification (18 July 2020)