Samut Sakhon Governor Orders Temporary Closure of Tilapia Canning Factory Until Factory Standards Are Improved
A tilapia canning factory in Samut Sakhon has been temporarily shut down for failing wastewater treatment standards and mislabeling products with mackerel when tilapia was used.
Samut Sakhon Governor Orders Temporary Closure of Tilapia Canning Factory Until Factory Standards Are Improved. Supamas Emphasizes Labels Must Match Products for Consumer Fairness.
On May 7, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Supamas Iamphakdi revealed the latest developments in the mismatched canned fish labeling case following an inspection of a tilapia canning factory in Mueang Samut Sakhon District, Samut Sakhon Province, conducted jointly with relevant agencies on May 6.
Deputy Prime Minister Supamas Iamphakdi
The latest report from Amnat Charoenri, Governor of Samut Sakhon Province, indicates that provincial industrial office inspections found the factory's wastewater treatment system failed to meet required standards, prompting an immediate temporary operational shutdown order. The company must correct its production facility to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) criteria and standards.
Additionally, the operator faces violations for substituting a different fish species for mackerel as indicated on the label, constituting fraudulent food production under the Food Act B.E. 2522, carrying penalties of 6 months to 10 years imprisonment and fines ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 baht. Improper labeling that misleads consumers regarding essential product information carries fines up to 30,000 baht.
Once the operator corrects the facility and production processes to meet standards, a follow-up inspection will occur until quality benchmarks are achieved, after which the factory may resume operations.
"As previously reported, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritizes consumer protection and has closely monitored this case. The Samut Sakhon Governor's actions reflect integrated coordination between central and regional authorities in restoring consumer justice and sending a clear signal to other businesses that the government will not tolerate consumer exploitation under any circumstances," Supamas stated.
However, the government aims to balance consumer protection with providing businesses opportunities for improvement. I have directed all provincial Consumer Protection offices to inspect food production facilities and consumer goods to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
Consumers who suffered losses from purchasing defective products or services may file complaints at the Consumer Protection hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect application, website ocpb.go.th, or provincial Justice Centers. For food and drug complaints, contact the FDA hotline 1556.
