FDA urged to issue product safety details

Consumer protection networks have called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reveal information on products certified by the agency to help ensure the safety of consumers who buy them online.

Sathaporn Arakwatana, a freelance researcher on consumer rights, said the FDA should disclose a list of all products approved by the agency so consumers can check whether the products they want to buy are safe, particularly those they buy online.

The FDA also should provide information such as a product’s FDA registration number and any permission granted by the agency for product advertising, she said.

Ms Sathaporn was speaking during a seminar on consumer protection in Bangkok to mark World Consumer Rights Day yesterday.

According to Ms Sathaporn, of all products illegally advertised online, 48% are for food, 38% drugs and 14% cosmetics.

She said it was difficult for consumers to check whether online products were safe. While most product owners claimed their goods were approved by the FDA, the reality was the FDA registration numbers could be forged and product commercials exaggerated.

Delays in the FDA taking action against errant product owners were a problem. The FDA was battling a staff shortage, which can hold back its efforts, she added.

Meanwhile, Parkpoom Dejhutsadin, a medical technologist who has launched a Facebook page, Mor Lab Panda (Panda Lab Technician), to help consumers, said his page aims to provide useful information about illegal food, supplements and drugs sold online.

However, the page has received a backlash from product owners who have threatened to sue him.

Mr Parkpoom also expressed concern the FDA, which is authorised to regulate food and drugs, is at times unable to take action against the problem.

Meanwhile, Witthaya Kulsomboon, manager of the Health Consumer Protection Program, said the country’s e-commerce market was worth 230-240 billion baht last year.

Most consumers made online purchases via social media such as Facebook and Instagram, according to the Department of Business Development.

The e-commerce business is expected to make up 15% of the value of the domestic retail market by 2024.

Mr Witthaya said consumers who suffer problems should quickly file a police complaint along with evidence including bank payment slips, and pictures of chat logs with online vendors, as the statute of limitations in such cases expires after just three months.