Hong Thai herbal inhalers: Thai FDA issues health warning about abnormalities in a batch of products

Editor's note: This article has been amended. Thai health authorities issued an announcement regarding Thai Swan Brand herbal inhalers and not Thai Eagle Brand herbal inhalers. We apologise for the error.

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an announcement regarding Thai Swan Brand herbal inhalers, also known as "Hong Thai", after the product failed to meet safety standards.

The Thai herbal inhaler is a form of traditional remedy to ease motion sickness, boost alertness and fight fatigue.

It has also become an increasingly popular souvenir for those travelling to Thailand.

Abnormalities in test results

Samples of the product were collected by the FDA and sent for laboratory analysis, Thai PBS reported.

Abnormalities were found in the total aerobic microbial count, total combined yeasts and mould count, as well as Clostridium spp.

The product in question is the Hong Thai Brand Herbal Inhaler, Formula 2, Registration No. G 309/62.

- Production batch: 000332

- Manufacturing date: Dec. 9 2024

- Expiry date: Dec. 8, 2027

Under the Herbal Products Act, anyone who produces or sells a "substandard herbal product" is liable to a fine or imprisonment, or both.

The agency is also currently considering legal action against offenders.

In an announcement attributed to Withit Supachaiyagul, deputy secretary-general and acting head of the FDA, the public is advised to exercise caution when purchasing or consuming such herbal products.

Top photo by Mothership.