Bangkok: In an effort to bolster consumer confidence, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its monitoring of the safety of imported vegetables and fruits, significantly increasing the inspection of pesticide types and sample numbers by over tenfold.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Surachoke Tangwiwat, Secretary-General of the FDA, announced enhanced safety monitoring measures targeting high-risk vegetable and fruit imports. These products will be detained until they are proven to comply with legal safety standards. Once approved for sale, the FDA will implement ongoing supervision measures by collecting samples from sales locations, sorting and packing plants, and sending them for analysis at the Department of Medical Sciences. This initiative is in line with the Ministry of Public Health’s annual announcements. Additionally, the FDA collaborates with provincial public health offices nationwide to monitor potential pesticide residues in sales and production locations. In 2024, 506 sample
s were tested, with 329 meeting standards and 177 failing, accounting for a 35 percent non-compliance rate. Legal action will be taken against offenders, with fines of up to 50,000 baht and the possibility of destroying or returning non-compliant products to their country of origin. More than 10,000 samples are inspected using preliminary test kits.
Dr. Tangwiwat further explained that in 2025, the FDA plans to enhance monitoring by expanding the range of pesticides analyzed and increasing data collection efforts. The Department of Medical Sciences is preparing to update the list of pesticides for analysis to improve monitoring efficiency. The number of samples sent for laboratory analysis will rise from approximately 500 in the fiscal year 2024 to 5,000, representing a tenfold increase. Consumers are advised to wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before consumption.