Development of Pre-Marketing Food Label for Manufacturer and Importer in Chiangmai Province

Abstract

Background: Food labels play a crucial role when making purchasing and consumption decision. Food entrepreneurs must comply with legal labelling requirements. However, there are many laws in Thailand regarding the control food product labelling, and they are subject to change. Besides, applications for food registration/ food details notification (Sor Bor 5) and food registration/food details notification in cases where formula notification is not required (Sor Bor 7) stipulate that there is no need to apply for a label licence, and some business operators still lack knowledge and understanding about food labels. This is one reason why there are problems with incorrect food labels.

Objectives: To investigate problems with incorrect labeling, improve public service models related to labeling, and evaluate the effectiveness of the developed food labeling service model.

Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study conducted from March to October 2024, divided into three phases: analyzing problem data, developing a public service model for food labeling, and evaluating outcomes. Purposive sampling was conducted among entrepreneurs who requested label consultation through the One Stop Health Service Centre in Chiang Mai Province in 2 periods: fiscal year 2022-2023 to study the accuracy of the labels and April-September 2024 after the trial of the development approach to study the opinions and satisfaction of 103 samples and to examine the accuracy of the labels of 75 samples.

Results: An analysis of past labeling consultations from 2022 to 2023, involving 46 labels, revealed the most common incorrect issues in descending order as: food name, metric quantity information, and warnings requirements at 69.57, 36.96, and 34.78 respectively. The study developed a public service model including: summarizing initial labeling requirements according to relevant laws, creating sample labels based on examples from the Food Division website, and adding samples for food items which not covered on the website, and providing labeling consultations to food operators. The development significantly increased operators' knowledge of food labeling (p<.001) and improved label accuracy in 75 reviewed items (p<.001). Common issues included incorrect food names, improper date labels, and inaccuracies in producer or importer details. A survey of 103 participants showed a high level of satisfaction with the developed public service model, averaging 92.00%.

Conclusions: The proposed approach to developing food labels includes summarizing labeling requirements, creating specific sample of food labels, and providing legal consultations, resulting in increased knowledge and reduced incorrect food labeling issues.