Page 63 - FoodFocusThailand No.217 APRIL 2024

STANDARDS & REGULATIONSANDARDS & REGULATIONS
ST
Guidelines for Certifying

Food with Function Claim Thailand

(FFC Thailand)

The global food system is becoming increasingly complex, driven by rising demands for higher food quantities
and quality, as well as growing consumer concerns about health. In response, consumers are adjusting their
lifestyles and gravitating towards foods that offer health benefits. Therefore, entrepreneurs must assess
their readiness and employ effective strategies to enhance the development of healthy food products,
functional foods, and nutraceuticals. However, these nutritious foods are clear criteria for product selection,
especially from a national food and health perspective, which is paramount. Therefore, the government
should establish a certification system that provides people of all income levels with access to high-quality
products to bolster the acceptance of Thai products in global markets.

Requirements for Applying for a Health Product comprehensive framework for functional food development to
License oversee the entire supply and value chains.
The regulations for application and approval procedures The Food Innovation Regulation Network (FIRN) team,
announced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and operated under FoSTAT, has recognized the pressing need for
the Ministry of Public Health are based on internationally action. They have conducted a policy study on the development
accepted standards. These standards aim to ensure consumer of functional foods in Thailand, supported by the Agricultural
safety and fair/unbiased health claim labels that are of high Research Development Agency (Public Organization). The
economic competitiveness globally. Thailand, needs to have report was presented to the National Food Committee on
step-by-step methodical approach or hierarchical process where January 24, 2022, where it received initial approval. Subsequently,
companies of different levels of internal competencies or a subcommittee was established to examine management
conditions can grow and develop greater capabilities progressto models and mechanisms related to claims of the effectiveness
higher levels. This includes scientific evidence requirements of agricultural and food products impacting health. This initiative
obtained from well-designed clinical trials or systematic aims to analyze the guidelines for developing FFC Thailand,
review(s) of clinical trials that clearly demonstrate the beneficial with the FDA and ACFS serving as joint secretariats. The project
bioactivity and health functions. This can be considered adding involves integrating processes from raw materials to final
to a product license application procedure, such as: products and must adhere to relevant regulations. The goal is
1. If a food product contains bioactive compounds in to develop guidelines for enhancing the potential of academics
quantities proven to have health effects in healthy individuals, responsible for developing functional products in Thailand.
supported by scientific evidence of multiple published research At present, it is challenging to determine the precise steps
studies showing a consistent outcome and backed by evidence and documents required to demonstrate a food’s functionality.
from countries that have already issued HC permits, Thailand However, the implementation of new way to manage the
may consider granting HC permits for such products. This development and approval systems aimed to address this issue
evidence can be derived from a review of scientific literature by offering clear instructions, regulations, and easy-to-
spanning approximately 15 years (R) or systematic reviews understand document formats. Additionally, there should be a
(SR) over a similar timeframe. system that collects summarization of globally proven evidence,
2. If a research team finds no up-to-date evidence supporting which can then be submitted to country’s FDA for consideration
the intended health claims, may conduct additional SR following in their positive list of functional substances and systematic
international standards (PRISMA) to gather the required reviews conducted in an internationally accepted format and
updated evidence. , They should proceed to submit their findings evaluated by the SR Academic Committee. This would allow
to request HC permits. However, this process must be such evidence to be utilized in permit applications, potentially
conducted independently by academic or institutional scholars increasing the chances for domestic raw materials to be
who have no conflict of interest to ensure the integrity of the recognized as functional ingredients in food.
report. In this regard, Thailand has adopted the Foods with Function
3. When existing evidence does not fully support health Claims in Japan (FFC Japan) model as a guideline for FFC
claims (as outlined in points 1 and 2), conducting additional Thailand certification. For more details, stay tuned for part two
research may become necessary. However, determining the of this article in the future issue of Food Focus Thailand
scope of such research can be challenging, particularly for those magazine!
new to the field. It is imperative that such research be conducted
by qualified professionals, as conducting high-quality research,
including clinical trials, systematic reviews, and food analysis
for safety and nutrition, demands specialized expertise. More Information Service Info C012
Moreover, advancing the development of functional food is
APR 2024PR 2024
paramount. Nevertheless, no organization has established a A FOOD FOCUS THAILAND 63 63
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