The Daily Insight

Connected.Informed.Engaged.

While MRL regulation is still faltering in some regulatory agencies, those who regularly consume Thai produce are putting themselves at risk. A non-profit agency, the Thailand Pesticide Alert Network, has reported that nearly 64% of Thai produce exceeds its MRL, and should be deemed unsafe.

Is it safe to eat imported food?

The Dangers of imported Food: Imports from other countries such as Mexico, Chile, China, Brazil, and New Zealand, come with risks. Our consumption of foods both domestic and imported carries the risk of exposure to parasites, bacteria and other foodborne illnesses.

What are the risks of importing food?

Products may be considered high risk if they contain:

  • contaminants – mycotoxins and aflatoxins.
  • pesticides.
  • Salmonella.

Is there a difference in safety between imported and domestic?

To distinguish health risks of domestic and imported produce, the critical question is the level of exposure to each chemical from each source. Because different chemicals have different health effects, there is no way to compare the safety of imported and domestic produce.

Does Thailand import chicken?

Thailand is also the fourth largest import source of frozen chicken products in China, and the number of qualified Thai chicken importers to China has increased from to 43 from 7 in 2018.

Is ginger from Thailand safe?

Ginger and chilli are among the plants deemed “hazardous” by Thailand’s Department of Agriculture in a recent announcement. Instead of only regulating the toxic pesticides used by large-scale agriculture, Thailand’s new law mandates that the plants themselves should be treated as hazardous substances.

What countries import the most food?

China is now the world’s largest agricultural importer, surpassing both the European Union (EU) and the United States in 2019 with imports totaling $133.1 billion.

Is Chinese Organic food Safe?

Chinese organic standards are currently some of the strictest on earth. Chemical applications are restricted and regulated, and some of the most poisonous pesticides and herbicides are banned. Since the green food certification was first introduced, no claims were made that it was an organic label.

What are the disadvantages of importing food from other countries?

But the disadvantages of importing food are also plentiful. They include adding to the problem of climate change and the overuse of chemical additives. Also, is a food’s nutritional value all it seems if it’s been artificially ripened en route to the UK?

Why we import food from other countries?

The energy used to ship the product is also lower. Energy efficiency is good for the environment as well. Consuming imported foods, we save money, our government saves money, we protect the environment and give jobs to many people from all around the world.

What country imports the most food?

How to import food products into Thailand?

For those who intend to produce or import food into Thailand have to apply for approval in 2 steps. Approval of the Product (Except for the products that are produced or imported only in the purpose of temporary case or samples for food registration or for purchase consideration, the application for product approval may not be submitted.)

What are the laws and regulations in Thailand for food safety?

Laws and Regulations. In Thailand, the Food Act of B.E.2522 (1979) is the major law aimed at protecting and preventing consumers from health hazards occurring from food consumption. According to the Food Act, the Ministry of Public Health is designated to be in charge of the execution of this act.

Are imports from China safe?

Imports from China have drawn the most criticism. But China has no monopoly on tainted food. “The food safety standards in China and other countries aren’t as high as they are in the U.S.,” says Chris Waldrop, director of the Food Policy Institute at the Consumer Federation of America.

Is Thailand allowed to export fish to US?

Thailand has been allowed to export Siluriformes fish and fish products to the United States under the conditions described in the proposed rule ( 83 FR 47532) . On November 5, 2019, FSIS published a final rule to list Thailand in the regulations as eligible to export Siluriformes fish and fish products to the United States.