THAI RESPONSE TO CODEX DEMARCHE

UNCLAS BANGKOK 007079 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD FDA SUBJECT: THAI RESPONSE TO CODEX DEMARCHE REF: SECSTATE 202287 ¶1. On November 8, Embassy presented talking points on infant formula standards for the upcoming Codex meeting in Bonn as requested in reftel. ¶2. Metanee Sukontarag, Director of the Office of Commodity and System Standards in the Ministry of Agriculture, responded via email that Thailand in principle supports sound science for setting of all Codex Standards, including a maximum level for all essential nutrients and optional constituents in infant formula. Metanee noted the lack of sufficient data on levels of nucleotides. Delegates from the Thai Food and Drug Administration will be in attendance at the Nov. 19 Working Group meeting and look forward to discussing the issue with U.S. delegates. BOYCE