A Study of the Suitability of Food Safety Control System in Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study is primarily to examine problems and obstacles in managing, controlling, and supervising the current situation of Thailand’s food safety compared with those implemented in major foreign trading partners. The information provided is gathered from academic research, interviews, and surveys from workers in various food organizations through the revisions of the expertises.

The findings from the study indicate as follow:

1.The structure of the entire food safety operating system and the inspection process in certifying food imports and exports in Thailand are neither sufficient to support the requirements of trading activities nor to protect domestic consumers. It lacks effective collaboration between trading organizations that also impacts the lucrativeness of the food industry. As a result, it may cause the benefit loss in business, along with the decline in the overall economic growth.

1. The comparison analysis results of the system management, control, and supervision for food safety between Thailand and foreign countries suggest that the US and the PRC have implemented what is called a “Multiple Agency System”, which is also used by Thailand. Meanwhile, the European Union uses an “Integrated Agency System”. Despite the specific food safety regulations in these countries, Thailand still has no rules on food safety and yet only relies on 25 related laws enforced by various authoritative institutions.
2. The appropriate proposal for managing Thai food safety is to maintain the power, roles, and duties of the already existed food security authorities. Also, the development of a current trading system needs to employ the Single Inspection Body System under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.