#Consumersafety

A new wave of research into tourism fraud is drawing fresh attention to the everyday habits that make travelers targets for scams. The lead finding is clear: certain common traveler behaviors—think flashing valuables, following too-good-to-be-true offers, and relying on unsolicited “local” help—can inadvertently invite deceit. For Thailand, a country that welcomes millions of visitors each year and hosts a vibrant mix of local and international tourists, these insights arrive at a moment when safety, trust, and seamless experiences are critical to sustaining a resilient tourism sector. The latest research underscores a simple, practical truth: awareness is the first line of defense, and how travelers act in busy streets, crowded markets, and transport hubs often sets the stage for detecting and avoiding scams.

US health officials have launched a major crackdown on kratom-related products, targeting an opioid-like compound known as 7-hydroxymitragynine—often called “7-OH”—after a surge of complaints from the dietary supplement industry and growing safety concerns among regulators and medical experts. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced its intention to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I controlled substance, placing it on par with substances like LSD and heroin, and recommending a nationwide ban pending Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) review (WBRZ; Yahoo News; FDA).

Supplements are often viewed in Thailand as convenient boosters for health, promising better skin, stronger muscles, or a shield against illness. But new research and warnings compiled by international health authorities show that misusing these products—often unwittingly—can quietly damage vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, with consequences that may only become apparent after years of harm (Times of India). As dietary supplement use grows across Thailand—especially among urban consumers, fitness enthusiasts, and the elderly—it is essential for the public to understand the hidden risks behind the glossy marketing claims.

In a cautionary tale that has captured international attention, a 57-year-old woman from New Jersey was recently hospitalized just “one step” from liver failure after taking high-dose turmeric supplements she’d learned about on social media. Her story, reported by several outlets including the Daily Mail and NBC News, underscores a growing health risk as dietary supplements become increasingly popular worldwide—including in Thailand—without adequate regulation and public understanding of potential side effects. The case has left medical experts urging consumers to approach herbal remedies with caution and spurred new research into the potential dangers associated with even “natural” supplements.

A hospital case in the United States involving a 57-year-old woman underscores a cautionary tale for turmeric use. She nearly faced liver failure after taking high-dose turmeric capsules she found on social media. Medical teams recovered her liver function with treatment, but this incident highlights that “natural” products can carry real risks when taken without medical guidance.

Turmeric, known in Thai as khamin chan, has long been a staple in both cuisine and traditional healing across Asia. The woman began consuming turmeric capsules to ease joint pain after seeing health tips online. Each capsule contained about 2,250 mg of curcumin, well above the daily amounts suggested for her body weight by global health guidelines. She later reported stomach pains, fatigue, and dark urine, which led doctors to check her liver. Enzyme levels were markedly elevated, yet she avoided a transplant with prompt care.

A new wave of research highlights a troubling trend: more people turning to herbal and dietary supplements for perceived health benefits, and an alarming rise in severe liver injury and liver failure linked to these products. Health professionals warn that “natural” does not always mean safe, especially for the liver, the body’s key detox engine.

The trend mirrors a global shift toward wellness, including in Thailand, where fitness routines, organic diets, and vitamin and herbal remedies are increasingly common. Brands promise longer life, weight loss, or stronger immunity. Yet experts warn these products can harm health rather than help, a concern echoed by recent studies in the United States that may have global implications, including Southeast Asia.

A recent wave of research has spotlighted a troubling trend: as more people embrace herbal and dietary supplements for perceived health benefits, cases of severe liver injury and even liver failure connected to these products are climbing at an alarming rate. This trend comes as health experts caution that supplements, frequently advertised as safe and “natural,” can in fact carry significant health risks—particularly to the liver, the body’s vital organ for filtering toxins.

Concern is mounting among global health experts as recent research reveals that cancer-causing chemicals—some even found in so-called ‘eco-friendly’ food containers—are leaching into what we eat. These revelations, emerging from multiple studies and echoed by urgent warnings from toxicologists, suggest that Thai consumers, like people worldwide, may be inadvertently exposing themselves and their families to hazardous substances every time they dine on packaged foods.

Interest in safer, more environmentally friendly packaging has soared in Thailand, with a booming market for biodegradable, compostable food containers accompanying a surge in food delivery and street food consumption. However, new findings indicate that many packaging alternatives still contain or leach synthetic chemicals linked to cancer, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenols, and phthalates, which are common components in coatings, plastics, and even so-called ‘green’ food wrappers. A major investigation by the Food Packaging Forum identified 189 potential and confirmed mammary carcinogens detected in food contact materials, including items marketed as eco-friendly, raising questions about the true safety of these alternatives (foodpackagingforum.org).

A widening warning lights up health desks worldwide: cancer-related chemicals are leaching from food packaging into meals, even from products marketed as eco-friendly. Research and expert alerts emphasize that Thai consumers, like others, may be unknowingly exposed to these substances with every bite.

Thailand’s packaging boom mirrors a shift toward greener choices as delivery and street food culture remain vibrant. Yet new findings show that many packaging options—though labeled sustainable—can still contain or release chemicals such as PFAS, bisphenols, and phthalates. These substances are commonly used in coatings and plastics and can migrate into hot, fatty, or oily foods. A major international study highlighted numerous potential and confirmed breast carcinogens in food contact materials, including items marketed as green, prompting questions about real safety in replacement materials. Data from global and regional researchers suggests the risk is not limited to imported goods; Thai market packaging often contains additives that are not rigorously tested by independent labs.

A recent study highlights a troubling link between everyday beauty products and exposure to cancer-causing substances. Researchers found that more than half of the personal-care items used by a group of women in Los Angeles contained formaldehyde or chemicals that release it. The findings, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters on May 8, 2025, have intensified calls for tighter ingredient regulation and clearer labeling—issues that resonate with Thailand’s fast-growing beauty market.

A new study has found that more than half of the beauty and personal-care products used by Black and Latina women in Los Angeles contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, highlighting a worrying connection between daily grooming habits and exposure to cancer-causing substances. Published on May 8, 2025 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, the study has reignited calls from health experts and advocacy groups for tighter regulation of cosmetic ingredients and greater transparency for consumers—concerns that resonate far beyond the United States, including in Thailand’s rapidly growing beauty industry.

A landmark international study has revealed that phthalates—a class of chemicals widely used in common household plastics—may be responsible for more than 350,000 deaths from heart disease around the world in a single year. The research specifically identifies di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a primary plasticizer in consumer products ranging from food packaging to personal care items, as a significant contributor to cardiovascular mortality, marking an urgent public health concern for both global and Thai communities (CNN, Washington Post, NYU Langone).

A large international study links a common plastic additive, DEHP, to hundreds of thousands of heart disease deaths worldwide in a single year. The research identifies DEHP, a primary plasticizer used to make plastics flexible, as a significant contributor to cardiovascular death. This finding is particularly relevant for Thailand, where plastic use is high in everyday life.

In Thailand, people regularly encounter phthalates through food packaging, cosmetics, cleaning products, and children’s toys. With heart disease already a leading health concern in the country, understanding environmental risk factors is crucial for families and health officials alike. Thailand’s health data show heart disease remains a major cause of mortality, underscoring the need to scrutinize exposure sources and protective measures.

Beetroot powder is fast becoming the darling of health supplement aisles in Thailand and around the world, with promises of enhanced energy, better athletic performance, and even improvements in heart health. But as the market fills with brightly packaged tubs and social media buzzes with endorsements, many Thais are asking: do the scientific facts really support these bold health claims?

The spotlight on beetroot powder is well earned. Beets are naturally rich in dietary nitrates, compounds known to convert into nitric oxide in the body—a molecule pivotal for expanding blood vessels, thus improving blood flow and potentially lowering blood pressure. These effects have attracted attention not just from supplement marketers but from scientists, athletes, and health-conscious individuals seeking a natural performance edge and cardiovascular boost (Men’s Health; Cleveland Clinic). For Thai consumers, where non-communicable diseases like hypertension and cardiovascular illness are a rising health concern, the potential of a plant-based, accessible solution resonates deeply.

Beetroot powder is lighting up health shelves in Thailand and beyond, praised for boosting energy, endurance, and heart health. As products flood in with bold packaging and social media endorsements, many in Thailand wonder whether the science backs these claims.

Beets are naturally high in dietary nitrates, which can convert to nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide helps widen blood vessels, improving blood flow and potentially lowering blood pressure. This mechanism has drawn interest from scientists, athletes, and health-minded individuals seeking a natural performance edge and cardiovascular support. In Thailand, where hypertension and heart disease are growing concerns, a plant-based, accessible option resonates with many consumers. Data from reputable health sources suggests these benefits are plausible but not guaranteed for everyone.

A recent wave of scrutiny has descended upon PrimeBiome, a widely advertised probiotic supplement, as an in-depth investigation gathered and tested over 2,000 user reviews in 2025 to shed light on consumer complaints and actual efficacy. The findings, published in a GlobeNewswire feature PrimeBiome Complaints Investigated: 2025 User Reviews Tested & Verified, are resonating across global health circles, sparking renewed discussion about supplement standards, user expectations, and the science behind probiotics—a topic of increasing importance in Thailand’s expanding wellness market.

A new wave of scrutiny surrounds PrimeBiome, a widely marketed probiotic, as a 2025 analysis synthesizes thousands of user experiences to assess real-world efficacy and safety. The investigation, highlighted in a GlobeNewswire report, aims to illuminate how consumer expectations align with product claims and what this means for Thailand’s growing wellness market. In Thailand, interest in probiotics has surged as people seek digestive comfort and overall wellbeing, but gaps in regulation and transparency can mislead shoppers. The study’s approach—evaluating verified user testimonials—offers practical insights into daily use and potential adverse effects.

A wave of new research is sending shockwaves through the pediatric and parenting communities worldwide, revealing that many babies and young children may be routinely exposed to harmful chemicals while they sleep—potentially threatening their brain development. Studies published by the University of Toronto, widely reported by leading outlets such as Medical Xpress, CNN, and NDTV, found that children’s mattresses often emit worrying quantities of phthalates, flame retardants, and other substances linked to a host of neurological and developmental disorders, triggering calls from scientists for urgent action by manufacturers and regulators (MedicalXpress, CNN, NDTV).

Seeking ways to enhance intimacy, more Thais are exploring the role of dietary supplements in improving sexual health. According to a recent article published by EatingWell, health experts have identified four notable supplements—vitamin D, ashwagandha, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and L-arginine—as potential boosters for libido and sexual function. As Thailand, like much of the world, experiences increased conversation about sexual wellness and holistic health, understanding the evidence and context around these supplements is especially timely (EatingWell).

Demand for sexual wellness remains strong in Thailand, with many people seeking reliable guidance on supplements that may support desire and function. A recent health feature identifies four candidates—vitamin D, ashwagandha, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and L-arginine—as supplements frequently discussed in relation to libido. While interest grows, Thai readers deserve balanced context that blends science, tradition, and practical guidance.

In Thailand, traditional herbs such as black ginger and Cordyceps have long shaped approaches to vitality. Urban living, irregular work hours, and stress can affect sexual well-being for both men and women. Rather than chasing quick fixes, experts emphasize a holistic plan that prioritizes sleep, stress management, nutrition, physical activity, and open communication with partners. This grounded approach aligns with cultural values around balance and family well-being.

Recent international research warns that many babies and young children could be exposed to harmful chemicals while they sleep. Findings from Canadian studies indicate that bedrooms near a child’s bed contain elevated levels of substances linked to neurological and developmental issues, while most newly purchased children’s mattresses release phthalates and flame retardants, especially in warm conditions. Scientists are urging manufacturers and regulators to act promptly, and parents to take practical steps to minimize exposure.

A Canadian study has raised global concern by showing that many children’s mattresses may release chemicals associated with brain development risks during sleep. Experts urge parents and regulators to act, noting flame retardants and phthalates found in mattresses can pose potential harm, even as manufacturers defend safety standards.

The findings matter for Thai families because children spend a large portion of their early years in bed, a period crucial for brain development and overall growth. Thai parents traditionally emphasize safe, peaceful sleep environments and may use practices such as gentle rocking and careful bedding choices. Yet evidence shows that some mattresses, even those sold in Thailand, can contain chemicals that are insufficiently regulated in the country and many others.

A recent Canadian study has sounded a global alarm by revealing that millions of children’s mattresses—commonplace items in bedrooms around the world, including Thailand—may be leaching hazardous chemicals linked to brain damage during sleep. Experts are now urging urgent action from parents and regulators everywhere, highlighting the dangers posed by flame retardants and phthalates found in these products, even as manufacturers claim compliance with safety standards (Daily Mail).

This discovery matters deeply to Thai families because a significant proportion of children and infants in the kingdom spend roughly one-third of their lives sleeping, a period critical for both brain health and overall development. Culturally, Thai parents take great care to provide safe, peaceful sleeping environments—sometimes including traditional practices such as “luk khoon” (rocking the baby to sleep) and being careful about bedding materials. Yet, research reveals not all mattresses are as safe as they appear, especially when manufactured with chemicals regulated only loosely in Thailand and many other countries.

A Texas woman’s health scare highlights potential dangers linked to over-the-counter vitamins advertised for hair, skin, and nails. The case raises questions about supplement safety not just in the United States but also in Thailand and beyond.

From Fort Worth, Jenny’s weight‑loss journey took an unexpected turn when she experienced hair loss. She started using a popular “beauty” vitamin supplement to address the issue. Soon after, she developed jaundice-like symptoms, signaling possible liver distress. Medical tests indicated liver failure, and doctors attributed the condition to methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a common ingredient in such products. While MSM is generally regarded as safe for many people, certain individuals with pre-existing liver concerns may react poorly.