Extraction Solvent for use in Food Production, Processing Aids, Food Additives

Draft MOPH Notification, B.E..., entitled "Extraction Solvent for use in Food Production"; (5 page(s), in English), (6 page(s), in Thai)

It is deemed appropriate to establish the regulation to control the use of Extraction Solvent in food production for consumer protection. The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) therefore proposes the draft Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No…) B.E… (…) issued by virtue of the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979) regarding to extraction solvent for use in food production to establish the quality and safety requirements including terms of use.

Key points of this notification are as follows:

Clause 1. The notification of the ministry of public health (No. 259), B.E. 2545 issued under the food act, B.E. 2522 Re: Application of Methyl Alcohol as Processing Aid in Some Foods shall be repeal.

Clause 2. This notification shall not apply to:

·        Drinking water used as Extraction solvents

·        Edible oils and fats used as Extraction solvents

·        Extraction solvents use in Food additive production

Clause 3. The definition of "Extraction solvent" means a food additive which is intended to be used as a processing aid to extract substances during the processing of raw materials, of foodstuffs, or of components or ingredients of these products and which is removed.

Clause 4. Extraction solvent used in food production shall be specific controlled food under the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 281) B.E. 2547 (2004) Re: Food Additives.

Clauses 5. to 7. The extraction solvent used in food production in this draft notification shall be complied with the following quality and safety requirements:

·        Composition of the extraction solvent; i.e. active substance, food additives, water, fat and oil and other ingredients shall not be hazardous or harmful to health and shall have the qualities or standards according to the criteria specified in this draft notification.

·        For the extraction solvents contain more than two ingredients, the contaminants requirements are as follows:

- Arsenic not more than 3 mg/kg

- Lead not more than 10 mg/kg

·        The usage of active substance and conditions shall be complied with permitted list as shown in Annex.

·        The usage of active substance besides specified in the Annex of this draft notification shall be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Thailand in advance. Manufacturers or importers shall submit the document for safety assessment as specified in the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 281) B.E. 2547 (2004) Re: Food Additives.

Clause 8. Labelling requirements for the extraction solvents in this draft notification shall be complied with the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 281) B.E. 2547 (2004) Re: Food Additives, the labelling of food product which extraction solvent used during production shall comply with the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health on labelling of prepackaged food.

Clause 9. The product containers shall follow the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 92) B.E. 2528 (1985) Re: Prescription of Quality or Standard for Food Containers, Use of Food Containers and Prohibition of Materials Used as Food Containers.

Clause 10. Manufacturers or importers of the extraction solvents for food production shall follow the notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 420) B.E. 2563 (2020) Issued by the Virtue of the Food Act of B.E. 2522 Title: Food Production Processes, Processing Equipment/ Utensils and Storage Practices.

Clause 11. This notification shall come into force from the day following date of its publication in the Thai Royal Gazette.