FDA supports plant-based foods, propelling Thailand to global health food hub

      Alternative protein foods that use plant-based ingredients to provide a high protein content (plant-based foods) are considered healthy foods. Nowadays, the market has expanded significantly as a result of rising popularity in both the Thai and international markets.

      For its part, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is ready to support trade and export of plant-based foods in order to increase trade opportunities in Thailand and push Thailand to become the world’s agricultural and food production center that meets sustainable safety standards.

      Many types of plant food products have previously received food serial numbers from the FDA, including cereal drinks, dietary supplements, milk, soybeans, corn milk, vegetable drinks, plant-based burgers, and so on.

      The FDA has continuous measures to promote the export of food products from plants; for example, most of the products produced specifically for export will be exempt from applying for a food serial number by complying with the standards of trading partners, issuing a certificate of establishment that produces or products for export, auditing and licensing plant-based food production that meets the standard GMP by making it easy for entrepreneurs to submit applications through the e-Submission system.

      Furthermore, the FDA has aided grassroots economies, such as community enterprises and small entrepreneurs in parts of the  country with the potential and desire to produce plant-based food for export. There is a project to promote research to develop food products from local ingredients, as well as exploring which local plants could be used as a source of protein or oil, or used in the production of plant-based food products, as well as promoting and developing GMP-compliant establishments and the project to strengthen the foundation of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises in the global market.

      Additionally, it is concerned with consumer protection, particularly safety, as well as encouraging entrepreneurs to produce food products from plants that are safe and meet global market standards.

      Entrepreneurs interested in applying for a production license or importing food products made from plants or applying for a certificate for export can ask for details at the One Stop Health Product Service Center (OSSC), 0 2590 7606 / 7 or 0 2821 5509, or via Line @OSSC_FDA, or email ossc@fda.moph.go.th, or contact provincial public health offices across the country.

Source: Food and Drug Administration Office, 88/24 Tiwanon Road, Talad Khwan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province 11000

Telephone: +66 2590 7000

25 November 2022