Supamas is preparing to take legal action against a canned fish factory that substituted Nile tilapia for mackerel, deeming this as "food fraud" with both civil and criminal violations. She has ordered the provincial industry office to immediately suspend production after discovering the wastewater treatment system failed to meet standards. Meanwhile, the Consumer Protection Board is joining forces with all agencies to urgently recall the products nationwide and has warned the public to stop purchasing and return the products. Inspection teams are deployed extensively across all provinces to conduct thorough checks.
At 3:00 p.m. on 7 May 2026, at the second-floor conference room of the Central Investigation Bureau, Miss Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, provided an update on the inspection of a canned fish factory found to be using Nile tilapia instead of mackerel. She stated that this action constitutes food fraud, with clear civil and criminal offenses. Relevant agencies are currently awaiting official confirmation documents from the Department of Fisheries to verify whether the fish species in the canned products are indeed Nile tilapia as suspected. These documents will serve as key evidence to fully prosecute the manufacturer. She affirmed that legal action against this operator is certain.
Regarding further legal implications, this case may involve violations under multiple laws due to several infractions found. Beyond the fish species issue, she has ordered the Department of Medical Sciences to conduct additional tests for harmful substances, heavy metals, and mercury contamination. Meanwhile, the Governor of Samut Sakhon province has assigned the provincial industry office to conduct further inspections of the factory. They found irregularities with the wastewater treatment system, which did not comply with the previously approved standards, resulting in an immediate order to cease operations until the system is corrected according to regulations before resuming activities.
As for the products already distributed to the market, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office has requested the factory owner to urgently trace distribution channels and recall all products as soon as possible. Public announcements have been made to retailers who received the products, as well as consumers who have purchased and still possess them, to return all items to the factory. The public is also warned not to purchase such products any further.
Additionally, orders have been issued to the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) at the provincial level, the Damrongtham Centers, and provincial public health offices nationwide to conduct widespread inspections of factories in every province. This is to monitor and prevent any recurrence of such production practices.