Thai govt increases food safety measures

The Thai government has stepped up food safety measures and will reward people who detect imported products that fail to meet sanitary standards, reports the Bangkok Post. According to Yongyut Tiyapairat, a government spokesperson, the Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is concerned about food safety, especially addictive chemicals used in farming and food production. Many chemicals banned in other countries were still being widely used and traded here. The government would impose bans or tighter controls on harmful substances. "The prime minister said Thai consumers should enjoy the same protection as their counterparts in other countries. Soy sauces containing chemicals which caused cancer and were banned overseas, should also be banned in Thailand,"​ said deputy government spokesman Nattawut Prasertsuwan. The government would take steps to ensure safety in food production and marketing. Pig farmers had to use harmful substances in production to meet consumer preferences for red meat despite the risk of cancer. The government is also considering setting up an independent auditor to examine product safety. The auditor would make money from fines imposed on producers who failed to meet safety standards. Deputy spokesman Suthep Saikrajang said the government would require foreign producers to meet sanitary standards and set rewards for detection of inferior imported products. This was not an attempt to raise non-tariff barriers but to protect consumers, he said.