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Reference

Thailand Flavouring Regulations

Notification No. 223: flavouring types and label declarations

Source checks: 2 and 3 October 2026

MoPH Notification No. 223 B.E. 2544 (2001) treats flavouring agents as foods required to bear labels and divides them into natural, imitate of natural and synthesized types. Imported flavourings not intended for sale to consumers may be labelled in English, with the minimum declarations still required under Clause 6.

Section 01

Which notification covers flavouring agents?

Thai FDA lists No. 223 as the flavouring notification. Clause 1 repealed No. 120 B.E. 2532 (1989) on flavouring labels; Clause 2 makes flavouring agents foods required to bear labels.

The Thai FDA Food Division FAQ distinguishes colours, food additives under No. 281 B.E. 2547 (2004), from flavouring agents under No. 223. These categories have different controlling laws; the year for No. 281 follows the FDA additives-law list.

MoPH Notification No. 223 B.E. 2544 (2001), Clauses 1 to 6, unofficial English translation

Thai FDA flavouring-law list, No. 223

Thai FDA Food Division FAQ, colours under No. 281 and flavourings under No. 223

Thai FDA additives-law list, Notification No. 281 B.E. 2547 (2004)

Section 02

Three types and the flavouring product's own label

Clause 3 divides flavouring agents into three types. The Thai original of Clause 5(2.1) specifies the declarations accompanying the food name on the flavouring product's label.

วัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรสธรรมชาติ

Notification No. 223, Thai original, Clause 5(2.1)

วัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรสเลียนธรรมชาติ

Notification No. 223, Thai original, Clause 5(2.1)

วัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรสสังเคราะห์

Notification No. 223, Thai original, Clause 5(2.1)
TypeThai label declaration
Naturalวัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรสธรรมชาติ
Imitate of naturalวัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรสเลียนธรรมชาติ
Synthesizedวัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรสสังเคราะห์
Notification No. 223, Clauses 3 and 5(2.1)

ประกาศกระทรวงสาธารณสุข (ฉบับที่ 223) พ.ศ. 2544 เรื่อง วัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรส ข้อ 5(2.1)

MoPH Notification No. 223 B.E. 2544 (2001), Clauses 1 to 6, unofficial English translation

Section 03

Labels for flavourings sold to consumers

Clause 5(2) requires Thai on consumer-sale labels; foreign text may be added. Clause 5(1) also applies the general Ministry of Public Health labelling notification.

ClauseRequired declaration
5(2.1)Food name with the natural, imitate natural or synthesized flavouring agent declaration.
5(2.2)Food serial number.
Purpose and use instructions.
Metric net quantity: weight for solids, volume for liquids, either for semi-solids.
Producer or re-packer name and address; for imports, importer name and address plus country of producer.
Type and quantity of colouring mixed in, if any.
Storage instructions, if any.
Production, expiry or consume-before date.
Any FDA-prescribed declarations.
Notification No. 223, Clause 5(2)

MoPH Notification No. 223 B.E. 2544 (2001), Clauses 1 to 6, unofficial English translation

Section 04

Labels for flavourings sold to food makers

Clause 6 requires Thai for flavourings not intended for sale to consumers, but permits English for imported flavourings in that category. The minimum declarations below still apply.

FieldMinimum declaration
Name and typeFood name with the flavouring type declaration.
Serial numberFood serial number.
Net quantityMetric net quantity.
Responsible businessProducer or importer name and address, and country of producer as applicable.
DateProduction, expiry or consume-before date.
Additional declarationsAny FDA-prescribed declarations.
Notification No. 223, Clause 6

MoPH Notification No. 223 B.E. 2544 (2001), Clauses 1 to 6, unofficial English translation

Section 05

Production, storage and the import application

Clause 4 requires producers or importers of flavouring agents for sale to follow the Ministry of Public Health notification on production processes, production equipment and food storage.

Thai FDA classifies flavouring agents as Group 3. Under its product-register procedure, Groups 1 to 3 apply for a food serial number after the production or import licence; the import licence is Form Or.7.

MoPH Notification No. 223 B.E. 2544 (2001), Clauses 1 to 6, unofficial English translation

Thai FDA food-product law index, Group 3 includes flavouring agents

Thai FDA product-register procedure, Groups 1 to 3 and import licence Form Or.7

Frequently asked questions

Which notification covers flavouring agents in Thailand?

Thai FDA lists MoPH Notification No. 223 B.E. 2544 (2001) as the flavouring notification. Clause 1 repealed No. 120 on flavouring labels. Thai FDA flavouring-law list and Notification No. 223, Clause 1.

Which three declarations belong on the flavouring product's own label?

Clause 5(2.1) of the Thai original specifies วัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรสธรรมชาติ, วัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรสเลียนธรรมชาติ or วัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรสสังเคราะห์ alongside the food name. Notification No. 223, Thai original, Clause 5(2.1).

Can imported flavourings for food makers use English labels?

Yes, when the flavouring is not intended for sale to consumers. The type declaration, food serial number, net quantity, business details, date and any FDA-prescribed declarations remain required. Notification No. 223, Clause 6.

Does a flavouring need a food serial number?

Yes. Thai FDA lists flavouring agents in Group 3, and Groups 1 to 3 apply for a food serial number after obtaining the production or import licence. Thai FDA food-product law index and product-register procedure.

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