Thailand Issues Health Warning Over Contaminated Hong Thai Herbal Inhalers

Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health warning after a batch of Hong Thai Formula 2 herbal inhalers failed microbial safety tests and was found to be contaminated. 

The product is widely used among both locals and tourists, including many Maldivians.

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The FDA stated that laboratory tests conducted by the Department of Medical Sciences detected excessive levels of total aerobic microbial count, combined yeasts and mould count, and Clostridium species — a type of bacteria known to cause serious infections.

The affected batch, bearing production number 000332, was manufactured on 9 December 2024 and has an expiry date of 8 December 2027. It was produced at the Hong Thai Commercial Herbal Products facility and registered under licence number G 309/62, issued under Thailand’s 2021 herbal product standards.

Authorities have classified the product as substandard and advised consumers to refrain from purchasing or using the inhalers currently available in the market. The manufacturer has voluntarily recalled 200,000 units and is working with relevant agencies to ensure the contaminated batch is destroyed.

Hong Thai Herbal has publicly apologised and announced measures to improve its manufacturing process, including the introduction of UV sterilisation and enhanced quality control systems.

Under Thai law, producing or selling substandard herbal products is a criminal offence punishable by fines of up to 200,000 baht and imprisonment for up to two years.