November 2006
Extract from the Report of the 15th Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia, Seoul , Korea , 21 - 24 November 2006 (See http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/report/664/al30_15e.pdf )
The food control system has been reviewed to follow the farm to table approach to food safety, including prevention and information campaign directed to producers. The roadmap for food safety clarifies the distinctive role and responsibilities of each food control authority in Thailand . National Committees responsible for food standard and regulation setting consist of representatives from governmental organizations, industry, traders, consumer groups and experts. The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards recognizes consumer participation as one of the main principles in establishing standards.
Thailand generally incorporates Codex food safety standards into Thai regulatory framework, including national legislations and standards. Only in some cases, based on national risk assessment, measures different from Codex may be needed to protect the health of consumers. In addition, efforts have been made to harmonize technical standards with other Codex standards related to essential quality for food commodities. Thailand has faced more difficulties due to the requirements by trade partners than in the harmonization with Codex standards, especially as the standards applied by some importing countries are stricter than those of Codex.
Information last updated - January 2007