FDA Raids Canned Fish Factory, Seizes 13,000 Cans Over Suspect Fish Species
FDA inspectors seized over 13,000 cans from a Samut Sakhon fish factory that mislabeled tilapia and catfish as mackerel. The facility faces potential fraud charges carrying prison sentences up to 10 years if violations are confirmed.
On May 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM, Patawi Yaowalaksana, special investigator and regional consumer protection director, led an FDA team including staff from the Ministry of Public Health, along with officials from Samut Sakhon Province's public health, fisheries, and consumer protection offices to inspect a canned fish manufacturing facility. The investigation found that instead of mackerel as labeled, the factory was using tilapia and black-chin catfish in production. Inspectors seized 12,760 cans at the factory and 250 cans from retail locations, with 9,500 already recalled from the market. No formal charges have been filed yet, though officials stated that if violations are confirmed, charges will follow. The facility was also found to not meet good manufacturing practices (GMP) standards. A government minister is scheduled to inspect the facility on May 6 at noon. The FDA emphasized that substituting mackerel with other fish species while labeling them as mackerel constitutes consumer fraud under the 1979 Food Act, carrying penalties of 6 months to 10 years imprisonment and fines between 5,000 to 100,000 baht. Additional penalties of up to 30,000 baht apply for misleading labels. The FDA warned all food manufacturers to conduct business ethically, as such actions damage confidence in Thailand's food industry and will result in maximum legal prosecution if violations are confirmed.
