Another Canned Fish Factory Caught Stuffing Tilapia into Sardine Cans in Samut Songkhram; Authorities Seize 235 Cans
A canned fish factory in Samut Songkhram was caught stuffing tilapia into sardine cans, with authorities seizing 235 mislabeled units as part of a suspected nationwide fraud scheme to cut production costs.
On May 8, 2025, Anuphap Likhit-amnuaychai, a Democrat Party representative from Samut Songkhram, revealed via Facebook that another canned fish factory in the province was mislabeling its products. The canned sardines and mackerel sold in local markets were found to contain freshwater tilapia or black catfish rather than the marine species indicated on the labels.
Anuphap questioned the ministries overseeing food safety and fisheries, arguing this was not a simple error but a deliberate cost-cutting scheme defrauding consumers. He expressed concern that the problem, initially discovered in Samut Sakhon province, has now spread to Samut Songkhram and may have already reached markets nationwide. He called for authorities to inspect all canned fish factories countrywide to identify how many are substituting freshwater fish for marine varieties, noting that consumers have no way to detect the fraud until they open the cans.
Following this revelation, Chayachai Saeng-in, the provincial governor of Samut Songkhram, ordered the provincial public health office to work with the Fisheries Department and the Dharma Maintenance Center to inspect two fish canning facilities. Inspectors confirmed that one factory had indeed used tilapia instead of sardines in its "sardine in tomato sauce" product. They seized 235 cans and found the facility failed GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards in several areas including building structure and specific requirements.
The factory owner admitted they had been producing tilapia products as an experimental export line but some defective units accidentally entered the market. The case has been reported for violations of the Food Act, with further investigation pending laboratory results to determine if charges of producing counterfeit food will be filed.
The provincial authorities have ordered the factory to suspend production and urgently implement necessary GMP improvements. Plans are underway to release infographics to the public explaining the situation and restore consumer confidence in canned fish products. Authorities also pledged to intensify random inspections of food factories to prevent similar incidents.
