Pre-marketing control activities include issuing manufacturing licences and importation licences to manufacturers and importers, respectively; registering controlled food products before marketing; approving food additives to be used in foods; and approving labeling and advertisements. The procedures for such operations are the following:
Product Registration
If a food product, either manufactured or imported, is categorized as the specially-controlled food, it must be registered. An analysis of the product as well as details of the process and ingredients are required for the registration process. Furthermore, the standard of these food products has to meet the standards specified in the Ministerial Notifications.
Labeling
Food labeling can be a useful mean to inform consumers about the food products and to provide an opportunity of choice for consumers. Mislabeling of food products may deceive and even endanger consumers. Consequently, according to the Food Act of B.E.2522 (1979), the Minister of Public Health is empowered to notify the determination of categories and the kinds of food produced for distribution or import for sale; and which foods require labels, content of labels, conditions and criteria of labeling as well as principles and methods of advertising on the labels. There is also a provision stating that the food labeled with an intention to deceive or an attempt to deceive buyers as to quality, quantity, benefit, or other special descriptions, or in the location and country of manufacturers is notified as adulterated food. In conclusion, the principles of food labeling control are to make sure that the content on the label is correct and concise, causes no confusion to the consumer, or does not mislead the consumer.
In general, food products are required to bear labels containing information in the Thai language such as the name, main ingredients, name and address of manufacturer, and other particulars of the food according to the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health No.194 (B.E.2544) on Label. However, labeling of some products such as foods for special purpose, royal jelly and royal jelly products, and garlic products, requires the label approval by the Thai FDA prior to being sold on the market.
Manufacturing License
The plant layout is to be submitted for approval. The plant inspection by a food inspector is required before the manufacturing license is issued. The license is to be renewed every three years.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
Food hygiene and good practices in the manufacturing process would provide a safe food and ensure the quality of food as a protective measure. Therefore, FDA has implemented the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) program for food manufacturers to adopt on a voluntary basis to upgrade and develop food-manufacturing processes throughout the country for more than ten years prior to become a mandatory measure for 54 type of food products in 2001. Various types of GMPs for food have already been established for such industries as canned food, drinking water, beverages, fish sauce, soy sauce, milk products, and fish products. Several technical training courses have been conducted and technical information services are in progress.
The HACCP program is another voluntary measures used for providing technical and advisory services for food industries so that they meet the international standards.
Manufacturing License.
The plant layout is to be submitted for approval. The plant inspection by a food inspector is required before the manufacturing license is issued. The license is to be renewed every three years.
Advertisements
An advertisement is one of the important measures for educating consumers in order to make them knowledgeable about particular food items. Therefore, food advertisements must be correct and fair to all concerned. The Food Act of B.E.2522 (1979) has provisions concerning advertisements in two aspects:
(a) False or deceptive advertising of the quality, usefulness, or indication of the product is prohibited.
(b) Advertisement of qualities, usefulness, or indication of the product by any means for business purposes must submit the sound, pictures or films or text of the advertisement to the authority for consideration and getting an approval.
Pre-advertising clearance of a request for food advertisement will be done by a committee, which consists of representatives from agencies concerned. Apart from the pre-advertising control, there is also a follow-up activity to randomly monitor all food advertisements in order to deal with violations of the law.
Importation Licence
A licence is required for the import of food into Thailand. A licensed importer may import various kinds of food providing that they are approved by the Thai FDA. The designated storage or warehouse has to be inspected and approved by the Thai FDA before a license is issued. The importation license is to be renewed every three years as well.