KUALA LUMPUR – The owner of Hong Thai herbal inhalants has slammed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for what he described as a lack of guidance and support for Thailand’s herbal industry, urging the agency to take a more constructive regulatory approach.
In a statement, Teerapong Rabueathum, founder of Thai Herbal Hongthai Co Ltd, said the FDA should focus on helping herbal producers improve product standards instead of relying solely on enforcement measures.
“The FDA should adopt a more constructive approach and focus on supporting product development rather than relying solely on legal enforcement,” Teerapong said.
He confirmed that some of the company’s manufacturing sites were unlicensed following a raid by the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the FDA, during which authorities seized over 2.3 million Hong Thai inhalant items worth more than 120 million baht (RM15 million).
“Orders surged beyond our authorised factory’s capacity, so we had to use other facilities for bottle labelling,” he said.
“But all herbal packing was still done at our licensed site.”
Teerapong admitted that the move violated regulations and expressed regret.
“We acknowledge our mistake and deeply regret it,” he said. “A new factory in Samut Sakhon is already under construction and will undergo FDA inspection once completed.”
He criticised the FDA for failing to fulfil its role in developing the herbal sector.
“The FDA has publicly promised to promote Thailand’s herbal industry, yet in practice, it provides little guidance or support,” he said.
“The FDA shouldn’t just use the law to crush us. It should share knowledge and help Thai herbal products adjust to international standards.”
Addressing concerns about microbial contamination in Hong Thai products, Teerapong said the company had sought help from the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Tint).
“The Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology has offered to assist us with microbial sterilisation of herbal ingredients and packaging bottles,” he said.
“From now on, all Hong Thai inhalants will be sterilised by Tint to ensure consumer safety.”
Teerapong reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving production standards and maintaining its reputation as a trusted Thai brand.
It was reported that the affected product in this case is the Hong Thai Brand Herbal Inhaler Formula 2, registration number G 309/62, specifically batch number 000332 (manufactured 9 Dec 2024, expiring Dec 8, 2027).
Laboratory tests by the Thai FDA found excessive total aerobic microbial count, combined yeast and mould, and the presence of Clostridium spp., violating Ministry of Public Health standards.
Consumers were advised to avoid using the affected batch and report any adverse reactions. The company announced a recall of 200,000 units from the lot, stating that other batches had been inspected and deemed safe.
The inhalers are widely used in Thailand and Southeast Asia as traditional remedies for nasal congestion, motion sickness and fatigue, and are popular among Malaysian consumers and tourists. — November 4, 2025