Another case has emerged in Samut Songkhram Province of "canned fish not as advertised." The Department of Fisheries and the Provincial Public Health Office promptly inspected and randomly sampled products, finding one factory using "tilapia" not matching the label. The operator admitted producing an experimental product but some defective units were sold. Officials have ordered product seizure and halted production.
On 8 May 2026, following a post by Mr. Anupap Likitamnuaichai, MP for Samut Songkhram from the People's Party, who shared images and messages on his personal Facebook, stating that another factory in Samut Songkhram was found with mislabeled canned fish. He called on Minister Supamas, responsible for the Consumer Protection Board, and Deputy Agriculture Minister Watcharapol, overseeing the Department of Fisheries, to investigate and address the issue.
Mr. Anupap added that based on reports from the public and examination of sample products received, the problem of mislabeled fish has expanded from Samut Sakhon to Samut Songkhram. He expressed concern that these products might now be distributed nationwide and urged government agencies to thoroughly inspect all canned fish factories to identify how many are substituting other fish species for marine fish, as consumers cannot detect this until opening the cans.
Subsequently, Mr. Chayachai Saeng-in, Governor of Samut Songkhram, took prompt action by directing the Provincial Public Health Office, the Department of Fisheries, and the Damrongtham Center to inspect two canned fish production sites following social media reports alleging that "sardines in tomato sauce" products used freshwater tilapia instead of marine fish as raw material.
Inspection revealed one production site where officials randomly sampled "sardines in tomato sauce" 425-gram cans, and experts from the Department of Fisheries confirmed the fish's physical characteristics were "tilapia," not sardines as labeled. The other factory showed no irregularities and used marine fish as declared.
Regarding the first company, the operator admitted producing tilapia in tomato sauce as an experimental export product, but due to errors, some units were inadvertently sold. Officials seized 235 recalled cans and assessed the production facility's Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, finding it failed criteria related to location, building, and specific requirements. The Provincial Public Health Office initially charged the operator with violating the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979), Section 6(7), concerning production facility standards, and is awaiting laboratory results to consider charges of producing counterfeit food under Section 25(2).
For future action, Samut Songkhram Province has ordered the company to suspend production and urgently improve GMP standards to comply with the law. They plan to prepare public information using infographics to clarify facts and inform the public thoroughly, aiming to restore consumer confidence in canned fish products locally. Additionally, inspections of food factories will be intensified to prevent recurrence of incidents affecting consumers.
. The Samut Songkhram Provincial Public Health Officeissued a notice about the safety inspection results and standards of canned food production facilities in Samut Songkhram Province. It stated that following social media reports about canned fish products not matching their labels, and after Minister Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, along with the Ministry of Public Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and Samut Sakhon Provincial Public Health Office inspected a factory in Samut Sakhon and found legal violations,
Samut Songkhram Province took immediate action by assigning officers from the Provincial Public Health Office, the Damrongtham Center, and the Provincial Fisheries Office to jointly inspect both canned fish factories in Samut Songkhram on 7 May 2026. They hereby summarize the results and enforcement measures to inform the public as follows.
1. Inspection Results: Inspections at both factories found that one facility failed to meet standards regarding production principles, methods, and equipment. Food samples were collected for laboratory analysis. The Samut Songkhram Provincial Public Health Office promptly and strictly enforced the law.
2. Legal Enforcement Against Violators: In cases where the fish species did not match the label (verified by Samut Songkhram Provincial Fisheries officials) and potentially constitute "counterfeit food" under the Food Act B.E. 2522, the Samut Songkhram Provincial Public Health Office took the following actions:
1. Seized all products to prevent market distribution.
2. Ordered production suspension: Instructed the non-compliant establishment to halt production for corrective measures immediately.
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3. Criminal prosecution: Referred the case to investigators for legal proceedings.
3. Product Recall Measures: For products that leaked into the market, the province ordered the establishment to urgently recall and destroy them according to regulations.
