Voluntary Report – Voluntary - Public Distribution Date: June 29, 2021
Report Number: TH2021-0044
Report Name: Thailand Updates Its Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program for Fresh Produce
Country: Thailand
Post: Bangkok
Report Category: Fresh Deciduous Fruit, FAIRS Subject Report
Prepared By: Maysa Chanikornpradit, Agricultural Specialist
Approved By: Eric Mullis
Report Highlights:
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) issued its annual revision to its pesticide residue monitoring program for fresh produce. The protocol remains the same in practice; however, the fresh produce that are considered “high risk” have changed. The revised measures will take effect on October 1, 2021.
THIS REPORT CONTAINS ASSESSMENTS OF COMMODITY AND TRADE ISSUES MADE BY USDA STAFF AND NOT NECESSARILY STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) revised its pesticide residue monitoring program by updating the fresh produce classified as “high risk” and “low risk.” Cherries, grapes, citrus, strawberries, and dragon fruit were in the “high risk” category in 2020. Cherries was the only fruit to remain in the “high risk” category, while the rest of them were moved to the “low risk” category. The targeted pesticides for cherries, however, changed since last year. In 2020, the targeted pesticides for cherries were chlorpyrifos, glyphosate, fenpropathrin, and paraquat. The new notification requires the following seven substances to be tested during random sampling: Acephate, Methiocarb, Lambda- cyhalothrin, Phosalone, Triazophos, Fenpropathrin, and Phosmet (Annex 1). Pomegranates and lychee were also added to the “high risk” category. The updated classifications go into effect on October 1, 2021.
The Thai FDA implemented its current pesticide residue monitoring program for fresh produce on August 1, 2020. The Thai FDA classifies imported produce based on their risk levels into three classifications: very high risk, high risk, and low risk. Only the fresh produce and exporter combination categorized as “very high risk” will be held and tested upon arrival in Thailand or the exporter can supply a certificate of analysis (COA) to avoid testing in Thailand. Fresh produce categorized as “high risk” will not be held for testing, but a Thai FDA official will perform random sampling and test for the pesticide residues that are listed for the given produce (Annex 1). An exporter can ensure that a shipment of produce classified as “high risk” is not tested in Thailand by supplying a COA, but it is not required. A complete description of the monitoring procedures can be found in GAIN Report: Thai FDA Revised Pesticide Residues Monitoring Procedures on Fresh Produce. The Thai FDA will review the classifications on an annual basis and adjust the fresh produce in each classification as needed based on testing statistics. The high-risk category has been updated based on fresh produce that had a failure rate of 20 percent or more.
A complete list of the updated high-risk category can be found in Annex 1 of this report.
Supplement Information
The pesticide residue monitoring program is based on the following notifications:
1. Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Notification no. 387, 393 and 419 Re: Chemical Residues in Food; 2. MOPH Notification no. 386 Re: Prescription of production process, equipment and utensil for production and storage for some fresh fruits or vegetables listed on annex 1 and labeling which requires the production standard certificate to be presented on importation into Thailand. a. MOPH Notification no. 420 Re: Food Production processes, processing equipment/utensils and storage practices takes effect on Oct 7, 2021. Any food undergoing specific production processes (i.e., make, mix, prepare, and re-packing) shall present a certificate to verify Good Manufacturing Practices at importation. The Thai FDA list of acceptable production standard certificates for sorting, packing, and storage of fresh produce can be found at GAIN Report: Updated Good Handling Practice Standards; 3. The announcement of Thai FDA Re: Inspection of imported foods into the Kingdom of Thailand dated 13th June 2016.
Annex 1: List of Pesticides Required on Certificate of Analysis for Fresh Produce under the “High Risk” Category Vegetables Celery (17 substances) Carbofuran Lambda-cyhalothrin Picoxystrobin Chlorfenapyr Malathion’Malathrin Profenofos Chlorpyrifos Metalaxyl Pyrimethanil Cypermethrin Methiocarb Triadimefon Deltamethrin Paraquat Triazophos Isoprocarb Chinese Kale (11 substances) Bifenthrin Cypermethrin Methomyl Carbendazim Lambda-cyhalothrin Pyrimethanil Carbofuran Metalaxyl Thiophanate-methyl Chlorfenapyr Methiocarb Sweet pea (10 substances) Bifenthrin Cypermethrin Methomyl Chlorfenapyr Fosthiazate Pyrimethanil Chlorothalonil Isoprocarb Thiophanate-methyl Chlorpyrifos Methamidophos Spinach (8 substances) Bifenthrin Cypermethrin Omethoate Chlorfenpyr Fosthiazate Pyrimethanil Chlorothalonil Isoprocarb Chlorpyrifos Methamidophos Coriander (15 substances) Bifenthrin Fenvalerate Paraquat Carbaryl Fosthiazate Phorate Chlorfenapyr Lambda-cyhalothrin Profenofos Chlorpyrifos Metalaxyl Pyrimethanil Cypermethrin Metolachlor Triadimefon Fruits Cherries (7 substances) Acephate Methiocarb Triazophos Fenpropathrin Phosalone Lambda-cyhalothrin Phosmet Promegranade (8 substances) Carbendazim Fenpropathrin Propagite Chlorpyrifos Glyphosate Thiophanate-methyl Cypermethrin Methiocarb Lychee (6 substances) Buprofezin Metalaxyl Thiabendazole Cargendazim Omethoate Thiophanate-methyl
End of Report.
Attachments:
No Attachments.