BANGKOK – Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade has urged local food exporters to comply with Malaysia’s upcoming food safety regulations to avoid potential disruptions and rejected shipments at Malaysian borders.
According to a report published by The Nation, the new rules—introduced under Malaysia’s Food Regulations 1985—include the addition of a new classification, known as Category IIB, which is aimed at tightening food safety standards for imported products to match domestic requirements.
Arada Fuangthong, Director-General of Thailand’s Foreign Trade Department, warned that Thai food factories failing to meet the new certification standards may face serious trade consequences. “The updated regulations could affect billions of baht in Thai food exports if manufacturers do not adhere to the requirements,” she said.
Under the new rules, any factory exporting food to Malaysia must obtain certification under the Malaysian Ministry of Health’s Food Safety and Quality Programme. The certifications must cover recognised standards, including Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Additionally, Malaysian authorities may collaborate with relevant Thai agencies to inspect food production sites in Thailand to ensure compliance. Malaysian importers will be required to submit evidence of regulatory compliance; failure to do so may result in their goods being denied entry or subjected to legal action.
Arada added that the regulation is aligned with Malaysia’s Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, which already apply to local producers.
The IIB category is expected to come into effect within six months of its official announcement. However, a specific implementation date has yet to be confirmed.
While acknowledging the regulatory challenge, Arada highlighted that this move offers Thai businesses an opportunity to elevate food safety standards, build global consumer confidence, and improve competitiveness. She noted that these changes could ultimately help Thai products access new export markets in the future.
Malaysia is one of Thailand’s top five export destinations. Between 2022 and 2024, Thailand exported an average of 129,000 to 138,000 tonnes of food annually to Malaysia, valued at approximately ฿10.9 to ฿11.2 billion (RM1.42–RM1.46 billion), accounting for nearly 6% of Thailand’s total food exports.
Source: Free Malaysia Today.
