Page 26 - FoodFocusThailand No.238 January-February 2026

SPECIAL TALK BY FDA

7. Only flavours that correspond to the type of fruit used as
an ingredient may be used. In addition, flavourings that impart
mint, cinnamon, or vanilla (including vanillin or vanilla extract)
may also be used, provided that they are added in appropriate
amounts solely to impart the intended characteristic flavour. If
alcohol drinks is used as a flavouring substance, it must be an
alcohol listed in the JECFA Specifications for Flavourings or the
GRAS Flavoring Substances List prepared by FEMA (Flavor
& Extract Manufacturers Association). This includes alcoholic
drinks such as champagne, rum, wine, brandy, whisky, and
sake. In all cases, the alcohol content must not exceed 0.5%
by weight of the jam, jelly, or marmalade, and methyl alcohol
must not be used.
8. Producers or importers of jam, jelly, and marmalade for
sale must comply with the Notification of the Ministry of Public
Health concerning food production processes, processing
equipment/utensils, and storage practices.
9. Packaging of jams, jellies, and marmalades must comply 10.2 In the case of jams, jellies, and marmalades in which
with the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health regarding alcohol is used as a flavoring agent, a warning statement and
Food packaging. If the Packaging is made of plastic, reference the amount of alcohol present in the final product shall be
must also be made to the Notification of the Ministry of Public declared as follows:
Health prescribing Specification of Qualities or Standards of (1) “Contains not more than …% alcohol” — The blank space
Food Packaging Made from Plastic. should specify the alcohol content as a percentage by weight,
10. The labeling of jams, jellies, and marmalades must and the statement must be printed in clearly legible characters.
comply with the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (2) “Children and pregnant women should not consume” —
regarding the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, and must This statement must also be printed in clearly legible characters.
additionally include the following details: Exceptions: If alcohol is used solely as a solvent for
10.1 Name of the food flavouring substances, the above warning statements are not
10.1.1 In the case of being made from a single type required. However, its use must comply with the criteria and
of fruit as table 2 (Page 24). guidelines specified by the FDA.
10.1.2 If the product is made from two types of fruit, 11. The Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 455)
the names of the fruits used must be stated in descending B.E. 2568 (2025), issued by virtue of the Food Act B.E. 2522
order of their proportion in the product name. (1979) regarding Jam, Jelly, and Marmalade, shall come into
10.1.3 If the product is made from three or more force 90 days after its publication in the Government Gazette,
types of fruit, the product name may include the wording that is, from June 9, 2025, onwards.
“Mixed Fruit” or another term with a similar meaning, such as 12. Producers or importers of jam, jelly, and marmalade for
“Assorted Fruit”, or it may indicate the number of fruits used. sale who were granted permission prior to the effective date of
If the individual fruit types are listed in the product name, they Notification No. 455 (i.e., before June 9, 2025) may continue
must be arranged in descending order of quantity used. to produce, import, or sell these products in accordance with
the previous Notification for a period not exceeding one year
Note: Guidelines for Determining the Number of Fruit and 180 days from the effective date of this new Notification.
Types Accordingly, such products may continue to be marketed until
December 5, 2026. Producers or importers must ensure that
- For citrus fruits: Reference should be made to the their products, including labeling, are brought into full compliance
most recent Agricultural Commodity Standard on the with Notification No. 455 by this date.
Classification of Agricultural Products, as follows: Furthermore, for jam, jelly, and marmalade products that
• Citrus fruits within the same subgroup but of different were granted a food serial number prior to the entry into force
varieties are considered the same type of fruit. For example, of Notification No. 455 regarding Jam, Jelly, and Marmalade: If
mandarin orange and king mandarin, or pomelo and the product labeling has been properly revised and the product
grapefruit. quality and standards have been brought into compliance with
• Citrus fruits from different subgroups are considered the requirements of this Notification, the previously registered
different types of fruit. For example, lime and orange, or product details under the former food category shall be deemed
pomelo and sweet orange. automatically updated to reflect the new food category and
- For non-citrus fruits: If the same type of fruit but different Notification title in accordance with Notification of the Ministry
varieties are used—for example, kluai hom (Hom banana), of Public Health (No. 455). However, if a producer or importer of
jam, jelly, or marmalade wishes to amend the registered product
kluai leb muenang (Lady Finger banana), and kluai namwa information, they may submit a request to update the product
(Namwa banana); or Phuket pineapple, Sriracha pineapple, details to the FDA or the Provincial Public Health Office through
and Huay Mun pineapple—such cases are considered as the specified channels. Further information and updates are
using a single fruit type. available on the Food Division website.
However, labeling may be presented according to the
facts, and it may or may not specify the type, variety, or
number of fruits used, provided that the label does not
mislead consumers in any material aspect. More Information Service Info C001

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