Most shoppers still decide from the advertising rather than the label. This is how to read a label the way people inside the industry read it, written from the perspective of a team that works directly with supplement manufacturing.
The short version
- A Thai food registration number is 13 digits and is tied to the formula, not to the brand.
- GMP is the legal minimum, not a selling point. HACCP and ISO 22000 are the voluntary part.
- Look for the amount of active in mg, not just the name of the ingredient.
- Advertising that sounds like medicine is illegal — and usually comes with other risks attached.
01 What the 13 digits mean
A Thai FDA number such as 10-1-05061-5-0183 is not random. It has a fixed structure.
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| First 2 digits | Province where the production site is located |
| 3rd digit | Status of the site (1 = domestic, 2 = imported) |
| Next 5 digits | Site registration number |
| Next digit | The authority that issued the number |
| Last 4 digits | The sequence number of that product |
The number is tied to one specific formula, not to the brand. A brand with 20 formulas needs 20 numbers.
Before you pay, look the number up in the Thai FDA's public product database. It takes under a minute and immediately rules out anything problematic.
02 Can you check it yourself?
Yes. The Thai FDA runs a public health-product search on its own website. Enter the registration number and you will see the product name, the manufacturer and the licence status.
The instant deal-breaker. If the number on the box does not match the product name in the database, or does not come up at all, stop there. Nothing else matters.
03 GMP versus HACCP
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) — the minimum every food factory in Thailand must hold by law. “Made in a GMP facility” states the legal minimum, not a differentiator.
- GMP PIC/S — a higher standard on an international framework, mostly used by pharmaceutical plants.
- HACCP — hazard analysis and critical control points. Voluntary. A factory that holds it is taking the job seriously.
- ISO 22000 — an international food safety management system.
- Halal — required for export to Muslim-majority markets, and a signal about how the line is run.
04 Advertising that is illegal outright
Under Thai food law, a dietary supplement may not claim any of the following.
- That it treats, cures, relieves or prevents any disease
- Specific weight-loss numbers, such as “lose 5 kg in 7 days”
- Before-and-after photos presented as the result of the product
- “Best in the world” or “only one in the country” without evidence
- Medical professionals endorsing its effects
A simple rule for shoppers: if the advertising sounds like medicine, the product or the seller is breaking the law — and a seller willing to advertise illegally is often willing to put things in the product that should not be there.
05 Read the actives, not just the ingredient names
A label that says only “turmeric extract” tells you nothing about how much you get. What to look for:
- Amount per serving in mg or grams, clearly stated — e.g. “turmeric extract 500 mg”.
- Extract ratio — 10:1 means ten parts of raw material yield one part of extract.
- Mineral salt form — zinc bisglycinate absorbs better than the cheaper zinc oxide.
- Standardisation — e.g. turmeric extract stating not less than 95% curcuminoids.
06 Reading the nutrition panel correctly
The numbers on a nutrition panel are per serving, not per sachet or per tub. This is where people misread most often. A protein powder saying “protein 24 g” may mean per 30 g serving, not per 100 g.
The right way to compare price: price ÷ total active content — not price ÷ number of capsules.
07 Checking for counterfeits and overclaiming
- Check the lot number and expiry date. They should be printed or laser-marked on the packaging, not a sticker placed over something else.
- Look for a QR code on the pack that links back to the brand's own official website.
- Buy from official channels — the brand's website, its official marketplace storefronts, or an authorised distributor.
- Be wary of prices that are abnormally low. Anything below the cost of the raw material usually has something wrong with it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a food registration number the same as a drug registration?
- Completely different. Supplements use a 13-digit food registration; medicines use a separate drug registration system. A supplement is not a medicine and cannot make medicinal claims.
No registration number on the box — should I buy it?
- Supplements sold in Thailand must carry one by law. A product without it has not been through ingredient and site verification. Avoid it.
Do imported products need one?
- Yes, with a 2 in the third digit. Hand-carried goods with no number are illegal.
What if I am buying outside Thailand?
- The Thai registration confirms the product was assessed where it is made. Your own country will have its own rules on import and on claims — check both.
The standards WISAMIN works to
Made in a GMP-certified facility in Thailand · a Thai FDA food registration number on every product · Halal certified · per-lot certificates of analysis · a QR code on the pack to verify authenticity.
- See the full range — every product shows its registration number on its page.
This article is for education and reflects Thai FDA guidance at the time of writing. Regulations change — check the current rules for your own market. Dietary supplements are not medicines and do not treat, relieve or prevent any disease.
