BANGKOK — Chinese supermarket companies operating in Thailand have come under scrutiny not only for their business influence, which has sparked drama on social media, but also for the quality of their products.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on August 1 that officials, in cooperation with police officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) and officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), including the Ministry of Public Health and four district offices — Samphanthawong, Lak Si, Bueng Kum and Huai Khwang — inspected 11 Chinese supermarkets.
All of them had sold Chinese products without Thai labels.
Weerachai Nolwachai, the FDA deputy secretary-general, explained that the inspection found 58 items without FDA numbers, Thai labels, or with incorrect labeling, totaling 1,665 items.
These violations fall under Section 6(10) of the Food Act B.E. 2522, which carries a fine of up to 30,000 baht. The evidence and confiscated food items have been handed over to the ECD police so that legal proceedings can be initiated against the violators.
They also disclosed the names of those supermarkets as follows:
- Wang Zhong Wang supermarket, Yaowarat branch: 4 items were found without Thai labels, including instant noodles, ready meals and beverage containers, totaling 117 items.
- Heng Heng Supermarket, Samphanthawong District: 10 items were found without Thai label, including ready meals, instant noodles and beverages in sealed containers, totaling 213 pieces.
- Haw Jie Supermarket (Haw Jie 1688 Co., Ltd.), Samphanthawong District: Found 6 items without Thai labels or with mislabeling, including ready meals, totaling 391 items.
- 3T Chinese Supermarket, Bueng Kum District: 6 items were found without Thai labels, such as sealed food containers, tea, soy sauce and semi-prepared food, totaling 121 items.
- Xing Guang 888 Co Ltd, Huai Khwang District: Found 3 items with mislabeling, such as vinegar and sealed containers of sauces, totaling 13 pieces.
- Sino-Thai Service Co, Ltd, Huai Khwang District: Found 5 items with mislabeling, including tea, sealed drinks, instant noodles, ready meals and sealed sauces, totaling 57 pieces.
- Dusittra Cosmetic Co, Ltd (Wang Zhong Wang Supermarket), Huai Khwang District: Found 8 items without Thai labels, including ready-to-eat convenience foods, meat products, semi-prepared foods, beverages in sealed containers, coffee, vinegar and jelly snacks, totaling 119 items.
- Thai Dongfeng International Co, Ltd, Huai Khwang District: Found 3 items with mislabeling, including ready-to-eat convenience foods and sealed food containers, totaling 72 pieces.
- Wang Zhong Wang Chinese Supermarket Co, Ltd, Huai Khwang District: Found 2 items without Thai labels, including ready-to-eat convenience foods (spicy stuffed squid and original flavor), totaling 11 pieces.
- To To Premium Store (Do Do International Co., Ltd.), Huai Khwang District: Found 6 items without Thai labels or with mislabeling, including ready-to-eat convenience foods and instant noodles, totaling 334 pieces.
- Wang Zhong Wang Chinese Supermarket Co, Ltd, 1st Floor, BELLE GRAND RAMA Building: Found 5 items without Thai labels or with mislabeling, including beverages, instant jelly and semi-instant food, totaling 217 pieces.
The deputy secretary-general emphasized that the FDA will strictly monitor food vendors and enforce the law. Businessmen are urged to check their products before selling to ensure consumer safety. Provincial health departments have been instructed to monitor all areas.
Consuming processed foods without an FDA registration number can be hazardous to health due to unknown production sources, untested sanitary conditions and unidentified ingredients.
Consumers who encounter violations can report them to the FDA hotline at 1556, via Line: @FDAThai, Facebook: FDAThai, email: [email protected], P.O. Box 1556, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11004, or to provincial health departments throughout the country.
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