Thailand to Amend Standard for Food in Hermetically Sealed Containers

"Food in hermetically sealed containers" refers to food with water activity (Aw) greater than 0.85 that has undergone a process to destroy or inhibit microbial growth by heat, either before or after being sealed. It is stored in containers (metal or other materials) that prevent air from entering and can be stored at room temperature.

Food packed in sealed container means: 

(1) Food which has been passed through the process of destroying or deterring the growth of microorganisms by means of heat after or before packing or sealing and which is preserved in sealed container of metal or other durable materials capable of preventing outside air from entering into the container and which can be kept under normal temperature, or 

(2) Food packed in container which has been laminated, coated compressed or affixed with rubber cover or other materials or food packed in other container which can prevent the moisture or the air from entering into the container under normal condition and which can be kept under normal temperature.

Low-acid food (pH > 4.6, Aw > 0.85) must not contain microorganisms that can grow at room temperature.

Acidic or acidified food (pH ≤ 4.6) must not contain microorganisms that can grow at room temperature, as well as the followings:

1) Total microorganisms growing at 30°C or 55°C must not exceed 1,000 per gram;

2) Yeast and mold must not exceed 100 per gram;

3) No coliform bacteria detected, or less than 3 per gram using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method.

Food containers used for hermetically sealed foods must comply with the followings:

• No lead, rust, or color other than lacquer or tin inside the container; containers made of steel sheets must be coated with tin or other protective layers;

• Containers must not be leaking or swollen.

Containers of foods shall:

(1) be clean;

(2) have never been used for packing food or any other articles before if they are metal;

(3) contain no lead, rust or any other colors in the interior except the color of lacquer or the color of tin the interior of the container which is made of steel sheet must be coated with tin or other substances which prevents the food from coming into direct contact with the steel sheet;

(4) not be leaking nor swollen;

(5) not give out any substance to contaminate with the food in a quality that may be dangerous to health.