Page 71 - FoodFocusThailand No.186 September 2021

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As one of the world’s foremost food food supplements and beverages containing non-narcotic cannabidiol or CBD. Such initiatives
producers, Thailand strives to become a hub are expected to spark excitement among and garner attention from the Thai food and
for food-tech innovations and show its potential beverage enterprises. Today marijuana and hemp are legally endorsed and commercialized
as a creative kitchen of the world. Thai herbs, in many countries, such as Canada whose cannabis industry is quickly expanding. Several
one of the country’s main and unique highlights, companies market cannabis-derived products for recreational consumption in many brands
should be put to good use to give added value and forms, such as CBD oils, foods, drinks, and capsules, all of which are considered the
and competitive edge to Thai functional drinks. world’s most popular cannabis products. These plants, therefore, represent an interesting
Local ingredients, scientific principles, and segment that the Thai enterprises should keep an eye on for any emerging marketing
technological innovations will be needed to opportunity that will allow them to export cannabis-derived products to high-demand
manufacture the right products that can satisfy countries.
the market’s demand.
Canada’s Cannabis Act, which permits a
recreational consumption of cannabis, has
sparked a wave of positive feedbacks from More Information Service Info C011
several national and international markets,
which are becoming increasingly open to the
use of said plant. In recognition of its potentials,
the private sectors, ranging from cannabis
farmers and sellers to food and drink producers,
are now turning their eyes to the rising
opportunities in this particular market.
The cannabis edibles market, in particular,
is potentially larger than the direct cannabis
market. Cannabis edibles manufacturers can
develop and market a variety of products that
covers a larger customer base, thus generating
higher profits than does the consumer market
of cannabis drugs. The future market is likely
to be filled with many types of CBD-infused
beverages, such as coffee, soda water, and
juice, since these products have the potential
to join the health trends thanks their alleged
properties of pain and stress relief, which are
different from the psychoactive, drowsiness-
causing, and dizziness-inducing properties of
THC.
In Thailand, both cannabis and hemp are
becoming increasingly popular after the
government’s revocation of the prohibition on
the use of these plants, which are no longer
classified as Category 5 narcotics, except for
their inflorescences. For example, the
Notification of the Ministry of Public Health No.
424, issued by the Food and Drug Administration
on 26 February 2021, repeals the prohibition
on the use of cannabis and hemp in food, while
the Notification published on 4 March 2021
permits the use of hemp seeds, oils extract
from hemp seeds, and protein from hemp
seeds in food, such as cereals, bakery
products, beverages, snacks, and food
supplements. Oils extract from hemp seeds
are allowed for use in the manufacturing
procedure of food supplements, oils, and
sandwich spreads.
More importantly, the Food and Drug
Administration has recently proposed another
new Notification concerning the permission on
the use of cannabis and hemp in food products
to the Food Committee, and it is pending for
approval. The FDA plans to issue an additional
Notification that will allow the processing of

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