G/TBT/N/THA/580  
2 September 2020  
(20-5957) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  THAILAND   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):  - 
2. Agency responsible:  Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA)  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Tea 
infusion (HS code 0902; ICS  code 67.140.10)  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Draft Ministry 
of Public Health Notification, No. … B.E. ….(....) Issued by virtue of the Food Act B.E. 2522 
entitled "Tea infusion" (26 page(s), in Thai)  
6. Description of content:  The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) considered the existing 
Notificatio ns of Ministry of Public Health regarding tea infusion should be revised in order 
to update the list of plants and parts of plant used as ingredient for tea infusion as well 
as to limit overlapping herbal products under the Herbal Product Act B.E. 2562 (20 19) for 
more effective of consumer health protection and fair practice of trade.  
Clause 1  – The Notification of Ministry of Public Health (No. 280) B.E. 2547 (2004) Re: 
Herbal tea shall be repealed.  
Clause 2  – "Tea infusion" mean products from parts of plants that proceed by drying and 
maybe grinding in order to consume by boiling or infusing with hot water.  
Clause 3  – Plants and parts of plants allowed to be used in tea infusion shall be in the list 
in the a nnex of this notification.  
Clause 4  – Tea infusion shall be of the following qualities or standards:  
(1) The moisture content shall not be more than 10% by weight;  
(2) Limits of pathogenic microorganisms shall be complied with the Notification of Ministry  
of Public Health regarding standards for Pathogenic Microorganisms in Food;  
(3) Limits of contaminants shall be complied with the Notification of Ministry of Public 
Health regarding standard of Foods contained contaminants;  
(4) Limits of pesticide residu es shall be complied with the Notification of Ministry of Public 
Health regarding food Containing Pesticide Residues;  
(5) Tea infusion shall not contain any modern drugs or Psychotropic Substances or 
narcotics prescribed by the laws thereof, as the case ma y be; G/TBT/N/THA/580  
 
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  (6) Use of food additives shall be complied with the Notification of Ministry of Public 
Health;  
(7) Tea infusion shall not be flavoured with other substances except those plants specified 
in the list annexed to this notification or leaves, tips, and  young stems of the plants in 
the Camellia Family;  
Clause 5  – Producers or Importers of tea infusion for sale shall follow Notification of the 
Ministry of Public Health regarding Production Processes, Production Equipments and Food 
Storages.  
Clause 6  – Use of containers for tea infusion shall be complied with the Notification of the 
Ministry of Public Health regarding containers.  
Clause 7  – Use of label for tea infusion shall be complied with the Notification of the 
Ministry of Public Health regarding Labe lling of prepackaged foods. In addition, warning 
statement as listed in the annex of this notification shall be displayed.  
Clause 8  – Producers or importers of tea infusion for sales, whose permission issued prior 
to enforcement of this notification shall  follow this notification within 2 years after this 
notification comes into force as the case may be:  
1) Existing tea infusion in the list of the annex of this Notification that permitted under 
the Notification of Ministry of Public Health (No. 280) B.E. 2 547 (2004) Re: Herbal tea;  
2)  Existing tea infusion in the list of the annex of this Notification that permitted under 
the Notification of Ministry of Public Health regarding beverages in the sealed containers.  
Clause 9  – This notification shall come int o force as from the day following date of its 
publication in the Government Gazette.  
This draft Ministry of Public Health Notification was also notified under the SPS 
Notification.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Consumer information, labelling  
8. Relevant documents:   
- 
9. Proposed date of adoption:  - 
Proposed date of entry into force:  On the date after being notified in the Official 
Gazette.  
10. Final date for comments:  60 days from notification  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS)  
50 Phaholyothin Road, Ladyao  
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900  
Thailand  
Tel: +(662) 561 4204  
Fax: +(662) 561 4034  
E-mail: spsthailand@gmail.com  
Websites: http://www.acfs.go.th , http://www.spsthailand.net/  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/TBT/THA/20_5240_00_x.pdf