Supamas Inspects Canned Fish Factory Over Labeling Mismatch, Orders Consumer Protection Committee to Follow Up on Complaints Nationwide
A government inspection team found a canned fish factory in Samut Sakhon mislabeling tilapia as mackerel, prompting authorities to investigate the fraud and order nationwide follow-up on consumer complaints.
On November 6, Ms. Supamas Iseraphakdi, Prime Minister's Office Minister, led an inspection team including Praderm Buunchualuay, Prime Minister's Office Advisor; Patcharin Samsiripong, Prime Minister's Office Secretary; Ranrong Poolphiphat, Consumer Protection Committee Secretary-General; and Supatra Boonserm, Food and Drug Administration Secretary-General, along with related agencies to Muang District, Samut Sakhon Province. The inspection followed public concerns on social media about canned fish products being made with different fish species—tilapia instead of mackerel—than what was authorized and labeled.
The team was joined by Amnat Charoengsri, Samut Sakhon Governor, Dr. Prakij Saratep, Samut Sakhon Public Health Officer, and relevant agencies. Ms. Supamas stated that the government cannot ignore consumer suffering. Although initial compensation has been provided to affected parties, a thorough investigation is necessary to prevent recurrence and restore consumer confidence.
Previous inspections by the Food and Drug Administration and Samut Sakhon Health Department found the facility failed to meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and produced goods using different fish species than labeled—constituting consumer fraud. Violations include manufacturing fake food products under the Food Act B.E. 2522, punishable by 6 months to 10 years imprisonment and fines of 5,000 to 100,000 baht, and providing incorrect labels subject to fines up to 30,000 baht.
"On behalf of the government, I emphasize that consumer safety and confidence are paramount in consumer protection," Ms. Supamas said. "We will enforce all measures to maintain these standards so the public receives quality, safe products at fair prices. Affected consumers have the right to compensation according to the Consumer Protection Act."
Consumers with grievances can contact the Consumer Protection Committee hotline at 1166 or file complaints through the OCPB connect app and ocpb.go.th website. Regional complaints can be filed at the Justice Center at provincial courthouses nationwide.
Meanwhile, Fisheries Department Director Thithiporn Lavaprasoet revealed that scientific testing confirmed the fish as tilapia, not mackerel as circulated on social media.
