Thailand Proposes to Revise the Food Labeling Requirements and Prohibit the Sales of Small-Size Jelly

Thailand proposed to restrict the sales of jelly containing glucomannan or konjak mannan in small size as its consumption may cause the risk of choking or airway obstruction. The package of jelly and jelly desserts should be labeled with warning that “Children should consume in moderation" in red.

In June 2023, Thailand Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opened the exposure drafts of three announcements for public feedback. Any comments can be sent back prior to August 31, 2023.

The key points of these three drafts are as below:

Draft 1 Announcement of MOPH B.E regarding some processed foods that must be labeled

Ministry of Public Health proposed to repeal some MOPH announcements regarding glutinous rice flour, sealed sauce containers, bread, peanuts and candies, animal products, labels for instant jelly and gelatin desserts as well as ready-to-eat processed food and instant food. Most of these announcements were released in 2001 or earlier before.

Labels for the aforementioned processed food items must comply with Ministry of Public Health’s regulations regarding nutrition, energy value, sugar, fat, and sodium content, as applicable.

Draft 2 Announcement of MOPH B.E. regarding prohibition of the production, importation, and distribution of certain foods

Jelly and snacks that contain glucomannan, konjak mannan, or root vegetable plant starch are not allowed to be produced, imported, or sold in Thailand if they are in small containers with a maximum diameter of 4.5 centimeters, regardless of their shape and width. This measure will come into effect since its publication in the Royal Gazette.

The competent authority has received reports that the consumption of jelly and snacks containing glucomannan or konjak mannan has high risk of choking and airway obstruction. To minimize such danger, the authority proposed the restriction.

Draft 3 Announcement of the MOPH B.E. regarding labeling of food in containers (No. 2)

This draft includes the proposed amendments to food labeling, including:

Jelly and jelly desserts should be indicated with a warning message that “Children should consume in moderation" in red with a size of 5 millimeters in a white background.
Brown rice flour must have a warning that "Do not use as a substitute for infant formula" in red, with a size no smaller than 5 millimeters. In addition, the text “brown rice flour” shall be indicated in color contrasting with that of the label background.

This announcement will enter into force since since its publication in the Royal Gazette.