Mr. Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health, stated that the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) conducted inspections and announced the analytical results of herbal inhalers found to be contaminated with mold and pathogenic microorganisms. These inspections are conducted routinely and continuously. A total of 39 herbal inhaler products currently available on the market were examined, and three products were found to be contaminated with mold and pathogenic microorganisms. The Thai FDA subsequently investigated the production sites as reported in the news.

He emphasized that all actions were carried out strictly in accordance with the law and ministerial regulations, guided by the principles of “transparency, safety, and suppression” to safeguard public health. The MOPH and the Thai FDA have performed their duties impartially to ensure the highest level of consumer protection and do not act as tools for harming business competitors. Enforcement is conducted transparently and based on credible intelligence, with the sole purpose of preventing risks to consumers not to unfairly target entrepreneurs. The Ministry continues to support ethical businesses and works closely with the private sector to raise the standard of Thai herbal products to the international level and expand their export potential.

 Mr. Pattana added that the Ministry is committed to providing opportunities for compliant entrepreneurs. This includes establishing mechanisms to offer consultation, guidance, training, and capacity building starting from facility design and layout, applications for Herbal Product Manufacturing Site License, formulation development, production processes, and proceeding to product registration once quality standards have been verified through laboratory testing.

The Minister added that the Ministry is committed to helping compliant entrepreneurs through consultation, technical guidance, training, and capacity building from facility design and applications for manufacturing site licenses to formulation development, production processes, and product registration after laboratory testing confirms compliance with quality standards. This approach, based on collaborative development, aims to strengthen the Thai herbal industry and ensure it remains safe, competitive, and globally recognized.

Ms. Supattra Boonserm, Secretary-General of the Thai FDA, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to support entrepreneurs throughout the production and registration process. The FDA provides consultation, pre-inspection assistance, and approval of facility layout plans before construction. After obtaining a Herbal Product Manufacturing Site License, entrepreneurs may produce sample batches for quality testing. If the results meet required standards, they may submit them for product registration, which for previously approved formulations can be completed within three days.

 She emphasized that all FDA procedures aim to ensure consumer access to herbal products that are quality, effective, and safe, while enabling Thai herbal products to advance sustainably into global markets.

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Publication Date: 3 November 2025