Thailand Proposes Amendments to Product Standard for Herbal Tea

On June 13, 2025, Thailand FDA released a draft notification regarding amendments to MOPH Notification No. 426 B.E. 2664 on Herbal Tea. The draft amendments, referred to as the "Herbal Tea (No. 2)" notification, aim to address inconsistencies in legal compliance and permit applications related to herbal tea products. Public comments can be sent to [email protected] by August 8.

Background 

Currently, "herbal tea" is defined as a product derived from dried parts of plants, which may be coarsely ground or reduced in size, intended for consumption by boiling or brewing with water. The key limitation is that only plants listed in the appendix of the MOPH Notification on herbal tea can be used as raw materials. Products made from unlisted plants, even if processed similarly and intended for similar consumption, are not classified as herbal tea and fall under other regulations, such as those for beverages in sealed containers. This has led to inconsistencies in legal practices and permit applications.

Key Amendments in the Draft Notification 

• Revised Definition: The definition of "herbal tea" will be amended to include "mushrooms" in addition to plant parts. The new definition states: "'Herbal tea' means products derived from dried parts of plants and mushrooms, which may be coarsely ground or reduced in size, intended for consumption by boiling or brewing with water".

• Removal of Licorice: Licorice (No. 92) will be removed from the list of plants and plant parts used as raw materials for herbal tea in the appendix.

• Addition of New Plants: Additional 110 plants and plant parts, from No. 202 to No. 311, will be added to the list of raw materials for herbal tea in the appendix.

• Transitional Provisions for Licorice Tea: Manufacturers, importers, or distributors of licorice tea (No. 92) who received permits before the new notification's effective date can continue to sell their products for a period not exceeding one year from the effective date.

• Transitional Provisions for New Herbal Teas (No. 202-311): Manufacturers, importers, or distributors of herbal teas made from the newly added plants (No. 202 to No. 311) who received permits before the new notification's effective date can continue to sell their products for a period not exceeding two years from the effective date.

• Compliance Grace Period for New Herbal Teas (No. 202-311): Manufacturers or importers of herbal teas made from the newly added plants (No. 202 to No. 311) must comply with the new notification within two years from its effective date.