Thai FDA warns about phony medical rice crackers.

Thai FDA warns about phony medical rice crackers.

 The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about a counterfeit product sold under the name Mor Boon Wisetsit. The product, which falsely claimed to heal a variety of medical ailments, is actually spicy lab-flavored rice crackers. The Thai FDA's Deputy Secretary-General, Pharmacist Weerachai Nalawachai, revealed that the agency received a customer complaint about the Mor Boon Wisetsit products. 

The label said that it could treat hemiplegia, paralysis, numbness, and stiff tendons. It also had the registration number G754/2567 and appeared to be endorsed by Chiang Rai's Udomsuk Osot pharmacy.

Upon investigation, the FDA discovered that the product was fake. The registered number G754/2567 is assigned to a lab-flavoured rice cracker under the brand Tawan, not to any medicinal product.

The name Udomsuk Osot does not exist in the FDA’s database of licenced pharmacies and herbal medicine establishments. The listed address also could not be found in the population registry database. The advertising claims of the product’s benefits and effectiveness were found to be false and misleading

“We are investigating the group behind this counterfeit product and monitoring the market to prevent further distribution. Any additional violations will be dealt with according to the law.”

Weerachai further advised consumers to always verify the registration information of health products before purchasing. This can be done via the FDA’s website, official Line account, or Facebook page.

He emphasised the importance of not falling for advertisements that make exaggerated health claims. Consumers can check the approval status of advertisements for food, drugs, medical devices, and herbal products on the FDA’s website under the public services section.