Legal measures on plastic packaging for seafood

Abstract

The regulation of plastic packaging for seafood is a critically important issue in the context of consumer protection alongside environmental conservation. Plastic packaging plays a direct role in food safety while simultaneously contributing to long-term impacts on marine ecosystems and plastic waste management. Consequently, the development of legal measures in this area requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account public health, environmental sustainability, and the responsibilities of stakeholders throughout the supply chain. This academic article aims to examine the legal measures that govern plastic packaging for seafood in Thailand, compare these measures with regulatory frameworks in other countries, and analyze any gaps present in the Thai legal system. The findings indicate that Thailand currently lacks legislation specifically designed to regulate plastic packaging for seafood. Existing regulatory frameworks are primarily based on general laws governing food and packaging, which place predominant emphasis on consumer safety standards, particularly issues related to food contact materials and chemical contamination. In contrast, environmental considerations including the reduction of single use plastics, the systematic management of post-consumer packaging waste, and the implementation of producer responsibility mechanisms are still limited and not sufficiently developed. A comparative analysis with Japan and Canada reveals that both countries have established more comprehensive legal frameworks by integrating food safety regulations for packaging with environmental protection measures. These include the implementation of extended producer responsibility schemes, restrictions or bans on hazardous substances in packaging materials, and the establishment of recycling standards to mitigate environmental impacts. Such approaches reflect regulatory models that align with international legal trends and sustainability standards, underscoring the necessity for Thailand to further develop its legal framework in a more balanced and sustainable manner.