Thailand Consults on Regulations Regarding Mineral Water, Packaged Drinking Water, Beverage and Ice

On January 28, 2025, Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a public consultation on draft regulations for prepackaged drinking water, beverages, ice, and natural drinking water. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments to [email protected] before March 28, 2025.

The regulations under consultation include:

1. Drinking water in sealed containers

The draft aims to replace MOPH (No. 61) Notification B.E. 2524 (1981) Re: Drinking Water in Sealed Container and its amended versions. Key provisions include:

Definition of "drinking water in sealed containers," covering "water defined by origin" (e.g., spring water) and "carbonated water."
Selective treatments for water defined by origin.
Physical, microbiological, and chemical quality standards, including maximum contaminant levels.
Permitted use of food additives (e.g., carbon dioxide) in line with MOPH's food additive regulations.
Labeling requirements aligned with MOPH’s pre-packaged food labeling rules. Voluntary use of label-free techniques (e.g., embossing, engraving) and digital labeling (e.g., QR codes) is allowed. Essential information (e.g., food name, trademark, volume) must be displayed using label-free techniques, while additional details (e.g., manufacturer's address, chemical composition) can be provided digitally.
Producers or importers of pre-approved bottled water must comply with the new requirements within two years of the notification's enforcement.

2. Beverage in sealed containers

The draft revises MOPH (No. 356) Notification B.E. 2556 (2013) Re: Beverages in Sealed Container, reducing beverage categories from five to four:

(1) Beverages containing or made from fruits, plants, or vegetables, with or without carbon dioxide.

(2) Beverages containing or made from ingredients other than fruits, plants, or vegetables, with or without carbon dioxide.

(3) Concentrated forms of beverages under (1) or (2) requiring dilution before consumption.

(4) Dry forms of beverages under (1) or (2).

The category "water with dissolved carbon dioxide or oxygen gas" is removed, as soda water and carbonated water will be classified as drinking water.

Producers or importers of pre-approved beverages must comply with the new requirements within two years of the notification's enforcement.

3. Ice

The draft replaces MOPH (No. 78) B.E. 2527 (1984) Re: Ice and its amended versions. Key provisions include:

Physical, microbiological, and chemical quality standards, aligned with the draft notification for drinking water in sealed containers.
Enhanced labeling requirements, including the statement "ice for consumption."
Producers or importers of pre-approved ice must comply with the new requirements within two years of the notification's enforcement.

4. Mineral water

The draft mainly updates labeling requirements for mineral water, allowing voluntary use of label-free techniques (e.g., embossing, engraving) and digital labeling (e.g., QR codes). Essential information (e.g., food name, trademark, volume) must be displayed using label-free techniques, while additional details (e.g., manufacturer's address, chemical composition) can be provided digitally. Manufacturing, expiration, or best-before dates must be displayed on individual bottles.