Cecelia ChangThe Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a nationwide recall for a specific batch of the highly popular Hong Thai Herbal Inhaler, Formula 2, after laboratory tests found the product failed to meet quality standards due to microbial contamination.
The news is a significant concern for Singaporean travellers, many of whom purchase the herbal inhaler in bulk as a staple item or souvenir from Thailand.
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Details of the Contaminated Batch
The product in question is the Hong Thai Herbal Inhaler, Formula 2 (registration number G 309/62). The contamination was specifically found in Lot 000332, which was manufactured on 9 Dec 2024, with an expiry date of 9 Dec 2027.
The Thai FDA’s analysis detected microbial contamination, including excessive levels of the Total Aerobic Microbial Count, Total Combined Yeasts and Mould Count, and the presence of Clostridium spp. This constitutes a violation of Thailand’s public health quality notifications.
To put it simply, the recalled batch includes high levels of mould, yeast, and bacteria, which are dirty and unsafe to use. It’s essentially the equivalent of drinking spoiled milk.
Manufacturer Initiates Recall
In response to the health warning, the manufacturer, Hong Thai Panich, announced the recall of the 200,000 units belonging to the affected lot. The herbal product has been registered since 2021, and the FDA has publicly released the inspection results to protect consumers.
The agency is currently considering legal action against the responsible parties in accordance with the law.
Advice for Consumers in Singapore
Consumers in Singapore who may have recently purchased or received the Hong Thai Herbal Inhaler from Thailand are urged to immediately check the batch number on their Hong Thai inhaler containers.
If you have a product matching Lot 000332, the Thai FDA advises you to stop using it immediately and exercise caution regarding all herbal products from unverified sources.
