Department of Medical Sciences Warns About Fake Bird's Nest, Offers Sialic Acid Analysis Service

Dr. Sarawut Boonsuk, Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences, explained that bird's nest is a secretion from swallow bird salivary glands containing various bioactive compounds. These include galactosamine, glucosamine, and importantly, sialic acid (NANA), which benefits the body by supporting neural and brain function, learning, memory, and potentially inhibiting viral infections. Currently, Thailand has bird's nests from both natural caves and cultivated sources. However, due to high domestic and international market demand, authentic bird's nests are scarce, leading some to produce counterfeit products. The department's Food Quality and Safety Office now offers chemical identity testing using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) to verify bird's nest authenticity. In the 2025 fiscal year, the department analyzed 269 samples: 29 raw material samples were confirmed authentic, and of 235 ready-to-drink products, 204 (87%) contained genuine swallow bird's nest. They recommend purchasing from reliable sources and checking product labels carefully.