Thai government legalizes kratom leaf use in cosmetic products, TFDA prioritizes public safety

07 Sep 2022 --- The Government of Thailand has enforced the Kratom Plant Act, outlining the eligibility rules for consuming and purchasing the controversial plant. Kratom or Mitragyna speciosa are herbal leaves that fall under the ‘food’ category in Thailand and are also applied in cosmetics. However, as further research is required to test the safety of Kratom, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) seems to be on the edge as it is prioritizing public safety.

Kratom consumption has been found to be addictive and have adverse health effects, according to a Germany-based study. The plant is used to alleviate pain and also soothe the skin. 

The herbal plant has been controversial in the past as the plant used to be on the list of narcotics. However, on August 24, the government took it off the list.  

Thailand’s justice ministry will work with the TFDA to allow applications of kratom leaves in food, herbal and cosmetic products. On this note, the TFDA has stated that it will not compromise on public safety when allowing kratom to be used in food and cosmetics.

Consumption and supply
The Act outlines laws and licensing relevant to importing, exporting and selling cosmetics, medicines and food containing Kratom. Kratom has been controversial in the past as the plant used to be on the list of narcotics in Thailand. 

Moreover, the plant is prohibited from being sold to people under 18 years, pregnant women, including women who are breastfeeding and anyone specified by the minister of justice and the minister of public health. 

Kratom is also banned from being sold at educational establishments, dormitories, public parks, theme parks/zoos, vending machines and other premises noted by the minister of justice and the minister of public health. 

Furthermore, the Act warns against “advertising or inducing” the public to consume kratom leaves – especially if mixed with narcotics and psychotropic substances. 

The Act allows higher education institutions to conduct further research on the use of the plant in medicine. 

CBD at risk of ban Hong Kong
Like kratom, cannabidiol (CBD), a derivative of cannabis, is often used as a supplement to aid with alleviating anxiety, stress and pain. 

However, CBD is caught in a controversy in Hong Kong. The government is pushing for the prohibition of CBD in personal care and nutritional products, including any topical or ingestible forms, via legislation. In June, it warned that “upon its commencement, CBD will become a dangerous drug in Hong Kong.”

“The legislature and the public support this proposal in general. In this relation, an online briefing session on the legislative proposal was held on 27 June 2022,” a spokesman from the Hong Kong Narcotics Division, Security Bureau, previously told PersonalCareInsights.

“More than 100 representatives from the medical, social welfare, education, logistics, industrial and commercial sectors, as well as parents, registered to join the session and most of the attendees did not object to the proposal.” 

By Venya Patel