Thailand Consults on Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol Contamination Limits in Food Additives

On February 18, 2025, Thailand Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) issued a draft notification, establishing maximum contamination limits of ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) in 12 high-risk food additives. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments to Thai FDA by March 3.

Background

Diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) are toxic chemical compounds primarily employed as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents, capable of inducing fatal poisoning even at low exposure levels, with heightened risks for children. The World Health Organization has identified contamination incidents involving these compounds in medicinal preparations such as cough syrups, where the excipient sorbitol was found adulterated with ethylene glycol. Furthermore, scientific investigations have revealed potential cross-contamination of specific food additives with both substances during manufacturing processes.

Key requirements

All specified additives must comply with both:

Existing quality standards under the Codex Advisory Specifications for Food Additives
New EG/DEG contamination limits outlined in the notification

Contamination limits

INS Number	Food Additive	Maximum EG Level	Maximum DEG Level
420(i)	Sorbitol	≤0.10%	≤0.10%
420(ii)	Sorbitol Syrup	≤0.10%	≤0.10%
422	Glycerol	≤0.10%	≤0.10%
1520	Propylene Glycol	≤0.10%	≤0.10%
965(i)	Maltitol	≤0.10%	≤0.10%
965(ii)	Maltitol Syrup	≤0.10%	≤0.10%
964	Polyglycitol Syrup	≤0.10%	≤0.10%
432	Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monolaurate	≤0.25%*	≤0.25%*
433	Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monooleate	≤0.25%*	≤0.25%*
434	Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monopalmitate	≤0.25%*	≤0.25%*
435	Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monostearate	≤0.25%*	≤0.25%*
436	Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Tristearate	≤0.25%*	≤0.25%*

*Applies to single or combined contamination levels