Thailand’s New Nutrition Label: Insights from Ministry of Public Health Notification 445
In response to the growing need for better consumer information and public health protection, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health enforced in July the Notification 445, which introduces a new standardized nutrition label. This regulation is part of the government’s ongoing effort to improve public health by providing clear and accurate nutritional information on packaged food products.
Key Features of the New Nutrition Label
The new label is designed to be more comprehensive and user-friendly, making it easier for consumers to understand the nutritional content of the food they purchase. Below are the main elements defined in Notification 445:
- Nutrient Information Display:
- The label must include a detailed breakdown of key nutrients such as energy (calories), protein, fat, carbohydrates, sugar, and sodium.
- The quantities of these nutrients must be presented per serving and per 100 grams or 100 milliliters of the product, allowing consumers to easily compare products.
- Serving Size Standardization:
- To reduce confusion, the serving sizes on the label must now adhere to standardized definitions as outlined in the notification. This consistency helps consumers make better comparisons between different products.
- Daily Value Percentage:
- The label must indicate the percentage of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for each nutrient, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. This helps consumers understand how a particular food item fits into their overall daily nutrient intake.
- Highlighting Critical Nutrients:
- Nutrients that have significant health implications, such as sugars and sodium, must be prominently displayed, often in bold or highlighted text. This is intended to alert consumers to high levels of these nutrients, which could contribute to health issues like obesity, hypertension, and heart disease.
- Label Design and Visibility:
- The new labels must be easy to read, with clear fonts and sufficient contrast between text and background. The label placement on the packaging must also ensure it is easily visible at the point of purchase.
Implementation Timeline and Compliance
Businesses involved in food production, packaging, and distribution are required to comply with Notification 445 within the specified timeline set by the Ministry of Public Health. Non-compliance could lead to penalties, including fines and product recalls.
To facilitate the transition, the ministry has provided guidelines and resources to help companies update their packaging and labeling processes. This initiative not only aims to improve public health but also to align Thailand with international standards for food labeling.
Impact on Consumers and Industry
For consumers, the new nutrition label is a step forward in making informed dietary choices. By having access to detailed nutritional information, consumers can better manage their health and avoid products with excessive amounts of unhealthy nutrients.
For the food industry, while the new regulation may initially require adjustments in packaging design and production processes, it also presents an opportunity to align with global best practices and enhance product transparency.
Thailand’s New Nutrition Label: Conclusion
Thailand’s introduction of the new nutrition label under Notification 445 is a significant move towards promoting healthier eating habits among its population. As consumers become more aware of the nutritional content of their food, this regulation is expected to have a positive long-term impact on public health.
At Siam Trade Development, we are committed to helping businesses navigate these regulatory changes smoothly. If you need assistance with compliance or have any questions about how this regulation may affect your products, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Addendum: Updated Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) and Label Creation Guidelines
In alignment with the new Ministry of Public Health Notification 445, the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) values for various nutrients have been updated. This adjustment reflects current scientific understanding and aims to better guide consumers in their dietary choices.
Updated RDI Values
The table below highlights the key changes in the RDI values:
| Nutrient | Previous RDI | New RDI (Notification 445) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 2,000 kcal | 2,000 kcal |
| Protein | 50 g | 50 g |
| Total Fat | 65 g | 65 g |
| Saturated Fat | 20 g | 20 g |
| Carbohydrate | 300 g | 300 g |
| Sugar | 60 g | 50 g |
| Sodium | 2,400 mg | 2,000 mg |
Creating the Nutritional Label Based on the New RDI
- Determine Serving Size:
- Begin by defining the serving size of your product, which must be consistent with the standardized serving sizes outlined in the regulation.
- Calculate Nutrient Content:
- Measure the amount of each key nutrient (e.g., energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, sugar, sodium) per serving and per 100 grams or milliliters of the product.
- Express as Percentage of RDI:
- For each nutrient, calculate the percentage of the RDI that the serving size provides. This percentage helps consumers understand how much of their daily intake is covered by one serving of your product.
- Label Design:
- Ensure that the label is clear, legible, and prominently placed on the packaging. Nutrients with significant health impacts, such as sugar and sodium, should be highlighted.
Here’s a table comparing the old and new Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) values for key vitamins and minerals according to Notification 445:
| Vitamin/Mineral | Previous RDI | New RDI (Notification 445) |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 800 µg | 800 µg |
| Vitamin C | 60 mg | 90 mg |
| Vitamin D | 5 µg | 10 µg |
| Vitamin E | 10 mg | 15 mg |
| Vitamin K | 70 µg | 120 µg |
| Thiamine (Vitamin B1) | 1.2 mg | 1.2 mg |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | 1.3 mg | 1.3 mg |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 16 mg | 16 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.3 mg | 1.7 mg |
| Folate (Vitamin B9) | 200 µg | 400 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.4 µg | 2.4 µg |
| Calcium | 1,000 mg | 1,000 mg |
| Iron | 18 mg | 18 mg |
| Magnesium | 400 mg | 420 mg |
| Zinc | 11 mg | 11 mg |
| Iodine | 150 µg | 150 µg |
This table outlines the key changes, where increases are most notable in vitamins C, D, E, K, B6, and folate, reflecting updated dietary guidelines to better meet the nutritional needs of the population. These new values should be incorporated into the nutritional labeling process to ensure compliance with the updated regulations.
According to Thailand’s New Nutrition Label, Vitamins and minerals must be mentioned on the nutritional label in Thailand under certain conditions, according to Ministry of Public Health regulations, including Notification 445:
- Fortified Products: If vitamins or minerals have been added to the product (fortification), their amounts must be declared on the label.
- Health Claims: If a product makes any health claims related to specific vitamins or minerals (e.g., “rich in vitamin C”), the amounts of those nutrients must be listed on the nutritional label.
- Mandatory Nutrients: For specific food categories or special dietary products (e.g., infant formula, dietary supplements), the inclusion of certain vitamins and minerals on the label may be required by law.
- Consumer Information: If the product naturally contains significant amounts of vitamins and minerals that are relevant for consumer health information, these should be included on the label.
In general, when vitamins and minerals are listed, their content should be expressed in both absolute terms (e.g., milligrams or micrograms per serving) and as a percentage of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI).
This article is a wide explanation of the previous article published in february 2024:
Food Regulation in Thailand: navigating announcement 445, 446, 447 and 448
