Food contact materials – Thailand updates

We would like to update you on the following changes regarding Food Contact Materials in Thailand.

In June 2021, Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Ministry of Industry (MOI) has published (in Thai) the draft Ministerial Regulations on:
 

• Plastic food containers for microwave oven, Part 1: for reheating; TIS 2493-2554 (2011)
  This standard applies to plastic containers with caps that come into direct contact with food. It specifies type and abbreviation, materials, general requirements, packaging, marking and labelling, sampling and criteria for conformity and testing;
   
• Plastic food containers for microwave, Part 2: for single reheating; TIS 2493-2556 (2013)
  This standard covers plastic containers, lids and other components that come into contact with food directly. The temperature resistance shall not be less than 100 °C. They are intended for single reheating in single layer or multi-layer materials for use in microwave ovens. It also prescribes type and abbreviation, materials, general requirements, packaging, marking and labelling, sampling and criteria for conformity and testing;
   
• Fluoro-polymer coated utensils in contact with food; TIS 2622-2556 (2013)
  This standard only applies to "utensils formed from a metal substrate where the side in direct contact with food is coated with fluoro-polymer and to be used for cooking with heat”. Cooking utensils and electric appliances with cooking from electrical heating are excluded.
   
• Plastic containers for drinking water; TIS 998-2553 (2010)
  This standard covers only plastic containers for drinking water. It specifies sizes, materials, requirements for appearance, mark and labels, sampling and criteria for conformity and testing.

In addition, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) published a draft notification of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) No. …B.E. 256X (202X), which was issued in accordance with the Food Act B.E. 2522 entitled "Standards for Contaminants in Food (2nd Issue)".

Clause 1 of the draft provides that the substances Total Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol shall be added to Table 3 (Maximum levels of other contaminants) of Annex 1 attached to the MOPH Notification, issued under the Food Act of 1979 (No. 414) of B.E. 2563 (2020) entitled "Standards for Contaminants in Foods", dated 20 March 2020.

Would you like to learn more? Or do you have any questions? Don't hesitate to contact us - our experienced team of food contact experts will support you!