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SPECIAL TALK BY FDA

The Most Recently Enforced Food Regulations
The Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No.386) B.E.2560 (2017) Re:
The Requirements for Production Processes, Production Equipment,
Storage, and Labeling of such Fresh Fruits or Vegetables
(Good Manufacturing Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

Fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) are very important to human health as well as national economy. The Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend
a daily intake of 400-600 grams of FFVs, which can help reduce risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
However, contamination of FFVs by pesticide residues is currently a major concern in Thailand because the
amount occasionally found in many samples exceeds the acceptable level.

In order to improve the control system and ensure the quality Food Act 2014
and safety of FFVs for consumers of the entire supply chain, the The certification of manufacturing standard must be approved by
Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No.386) B.E.2560 the following competent authorities in charge of evaluating production
(2017) Re: The Requirements for Production Processes, Production premises and issuing certificates for screening and packing of fresh
Equipment, Storage and Labeling of such Fresh Fruits or Vegetables fruits and vegetables:
was signed by the Ministry of Public Health on 2 August 2017 - Competent government authorities of the country of
(B.E.2560) and will be fully enforced by 26 August 2018 (B.E.2561). manufacturers
The purpose of this regulation is to provoke the packing house to - Private institutions authorized and approved by
consider Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) that will help control competent government authorities of the country of
microbial, physical and chemical hazards associated with all stages manufacturers
of the production of FFVs from receipt and inspection of raw materials
to distribution of finished products including label and recording for - Institutions or authorities certified by International
traceability. This regulation will be fully implemented on packing Accreditation Forum (IAF)
house where pack some types of FFVs that are commonly consumed 5. Labeling Requirements: The minimum requirements for retail
and found pesticide residues. The key points of this regulation are labeling are that each display must clearly show the following;
as follows: • Name and address of producer (packing house) or importer
1. Definitions and country of origin
“Production” means receipt of post-harvest raw material and • Registration Number
packing of fresh fruits and vegetables in indoor establishment whether • Code or Number of production lot
they are purchased from supplier or grown by the packer in their This information should be on the labeling of the original container.
own field land. If such fresh fruits and vegetables are presented to the consumer
“Receipt and Packing” means post-harvest handling processes without packing, the required information must be clearly and
of fresh fruits and vegetables from receipt of raw material to putting prominently displayed on a label on the container or tray. Otherwise,
them in a package. The processes may or may not involve cleaning, the retailer should have a record on the required information that
cutting, waxing or other activities aimed at reducing the hazards and consumers are able to find out.
maintaining the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. 6. Effective Period: Packing houses and importers who received
2. The following are 48 types of fresh fruits and vegetables that are production or importing licenses for such fresh fruits and vegetables
subject to the regulations and shall be packed by proper operations prior to the enforcement of this ministerial notification, which do not
to assure that only safe fruits and vegetables will be distributed to comply with this ministerial notification, shall provide for improvement
consumer (see the table on page 20). or provide for certificates, as the case may be, within one year from
3. The established scope of validity of the regulation applies
to all packing houses, importers and distributors of fresh fruits and the date of entry into force of the notification.
vegetables for sales with an exception of packing houses that pack This notification shall come into force after one year as from the
and sell FFVs directly to consumer. date of its publication in the Royal Gazette.
4. Packing houses and import premises must be approved in 7. Punitive measures:
accordance with the following regulations: (1) Manufacturers or importers of fresh fruits and vegetables
(1) Domestic packing houses are required to adhere to all that violate or do not comply with the stipulated regulations concerning
GMP regulations as stipulated in the Notification or other production processes, production equipment, and storage in this
equivalent, and not inferior, regulations. Notification, issued under Clause 6(6), shall be subject to fine of not
(2) Importers shall provide good practice certificate of more than THB 10,000.
satisfaction required under this notification or not lower (2) Manufacturers or importers of fresh fruits and vegetables
than the requirement of this notification as the following: that do not display labels in accordance with the stipulated labeling
- Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and requirements shall be deemed incompliant to the Notification, issued
Vegetables (CAC/RCP 53-2003) under Clause 6(10), and shall be subject to fine of not more than
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System THB 30,000.
- BRC Global Standard for Food Safety: British Retail
Consortium. Issue 7, January 2015
- Food Safety Management Systems – Requirements for กฎหมำยที่เกี่ยวข้อง/ Relevant Regulation
any Organization in the Food Chain, ISO 22000:2005) ประกาศกระทรวงสาธารณสุข เลขที่ 386 พ.ศ. 2560 เรื่อง ก�าหนดวิธีการผลิต เครื่องมือ
- International Food Standard (IFS) Version 6 เครื่องใช้ในการผลิตและการเก็บรักษาผักหรือผลไม้สดบางชนิด และการแสดงฉลาก
- Thai Agricultural Standard (TAS 9035-2553 or TAS ลงวันที่ 2 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2560 สืบค้นได้จาก http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/
9035-2010) Re: Good Manufacturing Practices for PDF/2560/E/211/20.PDF
The Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No.386) B.E.2560 (2017) Re:
Packing House of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables or Thai The Requirements for Production Processes, Production Equipment, Storage and
Agricultural Standard (TAS 9039-2556 or TAS 9039- Labeling of such Fresh Fruits or Vegetables, dated the 2 August B.E.2560
nd
2013) Re: Good Manufacturing Practices for Ready-to- (2017). Available from: http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/
eat Fresh Pre-cut Fruits and Vegetables PDF/2560/E/211/20.PDF
- New Zealand Food Regulations 2015 under New Zealand
AUG 2018 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND 21