The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) is attempting to rebrand and increase the quality standards of some food and agricultural products in Thailand, in line with international standards, to boost sales domestically and abroad.
Wittawat Sarasalin, deputy secretary-general of ACFS, said the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is improving food and agricultural products to meet safety standards required by customers overseas who pay more attention to health-friendly products.
Working for accredited agriculture and food product standards, examination and certification using international practices, ACFS recently organised a campaign to raise public awareness on food and agriculture product standards using the symbol "Q". The goal is to create a positive image and acceptance of Q branding among entrepreneurs and customers.
Q is a food safety mark certified by ACFS to assure customers the product meets the standards listed in the Agriculture Product Standard Act 2008, which makes sure sourcing, components and processing methods adhere to safety standards.
"We want customers to have good options for clean and safe food, and we want to reduce tainted food and create good opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs to produce food free from chemical contamination," Mr Wittawat said.
ACFS works with modern trade companies such as Tops Supermarkets, Big C, The Mall and Makro to build support for Q-marked products.