Bangkok: The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a strategic partnership with five business associations to bolster the safe use of food additives, particularly focusing on the use of "nitrite salt." This initiative is part of a broader effort to implement stricter controls, including the mandatory addition of pink food coloring and warning labels to products.

According to Thai News Agency, the collaboration involves key players from the restaurant and food business sectors, as well as food additive manufacturers and importers. The primary objective is to educate consumers about the correct usage of food additives, with an emphasis on selecting ingredients, reading labels, and adhering to legal limits for substances like nitrite. The FDA's new measures will see nitrite salt products colored pink and labeled with warnings to enhance consumer protection.

Pharmacist Supatra Boonsearm, the Secretary-General of the FDA, led a meeting with representatives from the Restaurant Association, the Thai Restaurant Association, the International Convention Promotion Association, the Thai Chefs Association, and the Thai Restaurant and Street Food Association. The meeting also included groups representing food additive manufacturers and importers. The agenda focused on developing measures to ensure food additive safety, following reports of misuse that have led to health issues such as dizziness, low blood pressure, and more severe consequences.

Pharmacist Suphatra highlighted the FDA's commitment to consumer safety in light of the misuse of food additives like nitrites, which have been linked to serious health risks. To address these concerns, the FDA is advocating for a comprehensive approach that includes educating food preparers, enforcing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, and ensuring compliance with food registration, labeling, and production processes.

The partnership has agreed on several joint measures, including training courses for cooks on safe food additive use, the creation of educational materials, and legislative amendments. A key legislative proposal is the requirement for nitrite salt sold to cooks and consumers to be distinctly colored pink, accompanied by a warning label advising against exceeding recommended amounts. Public consultations with stakeholders are planned before these legislative measures are finalized.

This collaborative effort aims to mitigate risks associated with food additives and enhance the safety perception of Thai cuisine, as emphasized by the FDA Secretary-General.