Thai food exporters are being urged to study and prepare for stringent new US measures on imported food aimed at combating increasing cases of foodborne illness.
Kwannapa Phivnil, executive director of the Thai Trade Center in Los Angeles, said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is developing the strategy to tighten inspection of imported food, both for humans and animals, at ports of entry and overseas food warehouses to boost consumer protection and help reduce foodborne outbreaks.
The measures will incorporate elements and requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 with new and emerging technologies.
Imported food from 200 countries represents 15% of the total food market in the US. Key imported foods include fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and seafood.
Ms Kwannapa said the new strategy will focus on increased inspection of food manufacturing facilities overseas and enhance the power of US authorities to deny the import of unsafe food at ports of entry.
Once tainted food is found, it can be more quickly removed from the supply chain, she said.
Visit Limlurcha, vice-chairman of the Thai National Shippers' Council, said he remains unclear about the US's new food safety regime.
The new law calls for food exporters to appoint representatives or agents in the US in the event that imported products are found to be unsafe.
Appointing local agents comes with a cost, as exporters have to pay an annual agency fee of at least US$500 per exporter.
There is also an additional charge per shipment bound for the US. The regime will raise costs for exporters, Mr Visit said.
Previously, exporters were allowed to register with the FDA almost free of charge, he said.
US authorities have also conducted random inspections at food manufacturing facilities of Thai exporters.