Supamas directs the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) to join forces with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strictly regulate "edible gold leaf" after discovering exaggerated advertisements flooding social media. She urges major platforms to block such ads and warns consumers to check carefully before buying, fearing potential health impacts.
On 26 May 2026, Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office overseeing the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), announced she had assigned Mr. Ronarong Phoolpivat, Secretary-General of the CPB, to expedite investigation and control over advertising and sales of "gold leaf" or "gold-colored metal foil" used for decorating food, bakery, beverages, and desserts on online platforms. This follows findings that many products use advertising phrases such as "24K gold edible," "consumable," or "Food Grade" without verified safety standards or certification documents from relevant agencies.
The online product supervision aligns with government measures under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who prioritizes consumer protection in online markets. With an increasing public preference for purchasing aesthetically focused food and bakery products online, exaggerated or misleading advertisements have broadly impacted consumers.
"I am concerned that consumers may decide to buy products simply because they see claims like 'edible gold' or '24K,' even though some of these materials may only be metal alloys or decorative foils not intended for consumption. Using them directly with food might affect health if consumed over time. Operators must clearly indicate whether products are for decoration or consumption, rather than leaving consumers to bear the risks themselves," Ms. Supamas said. . (No translation needed; this is a fragment indicating the speaker.)
Ms. Supamas further stated that advertising such products falls under violations directly overseen by the CPB due to false claims that mislead consumers into believing the products are safely edible without evidence. Many listings also lack complete labeling, fail to specify manufacturers or importers clearly, and some may be unsafe for consumers. The CPB has the authority to inspect and take immediate action.
She added that the CPB has integrated efforts with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ministry of Public Health, to assess the safety of materials used with food, while also requesting cooperation from major online platforms to remove products with potentially misleading advertising (take down). This cooperation has been very effective. She thanked all agencies and platforms for joint vigilance to ensure consumer safety.
"I emphasize to all online operators: you may sell beauty, but you must not sell misinformation," Ms. Supamas said. Ms. Supamas also advised consumers, before buying gold leaf or decorative foils, to check three key points: 1. Verify the label and product details clearly state whether it is "for decoration" or "edible"; 2. Check manufacturer, importer information, and certification documents; 3. Avoid unusually cheap products claiming to be pure gold without verified evidence.