Detailed DNA test results of a famous canned fish brand confirm the use of black chin tilapia canned in tomato sauce, deceiving consumers. The "Biothai Foundation" points out the danger to buyers, noting it is difficult to detect since the fish is so processed that it is unrecognizable now seen in canned form.
Following a social media stir last May, when a user posted about canned fish bought from a shop in Samut Songkhram Province claiming the fish did not match the product label and was identified as black chin tilapia, government agencies like the Department of Fisheries countered that the fish was Nile tilapia. However, no government agency clearly confirmed the fish as black chin tilapia.
On 14 July 2026, Natcha Boonchaiinsawat, also known as MP Kai, held a press conference announcing that samples of canned fish sent for DNA testing at the International Center of Excellence for Seafood Science and Innovation, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, showed that 8 out of 9 samples matched the DNA of black chin tilapia.
The Thairath Online special news team asked Witthun Lienjamroon, Secretary-General of Biothai Foundation, a civil society leader and academic, about the DNA testing process for canned fish. He said the tests targeted canned fish seized by the FDA in May.
Samples from the seized canned fish were sent to the laboratory at Prince of Songkla University’s Center of Excellence, where they found that canned fish produced by a company in the Samut Sakhon area were black chin tilapia.
Meanwhile, canned fish from a company in Samut Songkhram Province were confirmed as Nile tilapia, which did not match the label on the can as stated by the Department of Fisheries. The government’s earlier press briefing two months ago involved faster testing than the DNA tests, which require more time.
The Secretary-General of Biothai Foundation, speaking as a government agency academic, raised concerns about the honesty of relevant agencies that must uphold their professional integrity. Government bodies should inspire public confidence because the seized canned fish is inaccessible to the public, so further verification is necessary to clarify the status. Traders buy fish cheaply but can them at high prices, while the ingredient labels do not reflect reality.
Witthun described the process for detecting black chin tilapia DNA in canned fish. It began by cleaning the suspicious canned fish batch, then dividing fish tissue into three parts to amplify the DNA quantity enough for testing.
Next, genetic testing chemicals were applied to analyze the fish DNA and compared with publicly available standard DNA samples of tilapia, confirming that the canned fish DNA matched black chin tilapia and Nile tilapia.
Witthun analyzed that it is quite difficult for villagers to distinguish canned fish as black chin tilapia, but fishermen or local officials in areas where black chin tilapia spreads can recognize it.
From a consumer perspective, black chin tilapia may impact consumers, such as those with allergies. If ingredients do not match labels, consumers receive inaccurate information, posing risks. Black chin tilapia can spread across ecosystems, so if used as food, producers must assure it comes from safe environments. Currently, producers conceal the true components from customers.
Currently, government agencies have undermined public trust in food safety and origin inspections. Regarding transparency, the public should pressure authorities to work more independently and impartially.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed updates on the canned fish investigation following public complaints. The FDA, together with Samut Sakhon Provincial Public Health Office, inspected production sites and collected product samples for fish species verification at the Department of Fisheries, the expert agency. The results confirmed the products used fish species not authorized by the FDA.
Legal action is underway. Pharmacist Supatra Boonserm, Secretary-General of the FDA, revealed that samples collected at production sites included three canned fish products. Species verification by the Department of Fisheries' fish product quality inspection division found: item 1, canned fish produced 24 April 2026, expiry 24 April 2029, identified as Nile tilapia; item 2, canned fish produced 27 April 2026, expiry 27 April 2029, also Nile tilapia; item 3, canned fish labeled as mackerel in tomato sauce (brand Bonus), produced 20 January 2026, expiry 20 January 2029, found to be sardine.
The FDA Secretary-General added that these results confirm all three products used fish species not matching their FDA registration, constituting food fraud under the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979). Samut Sakhon Provincial Public Health Office has filed complaints with Bang Tharad Police Station to prosecute Sri Rung Ngam Foods Co., Ltd., Samut Sakhon Province, on charges including: 1) producing counterfeit food, punishable by 6 months to 10 years imprisonment and fines from 5,000 to 100,000 baht; 2) incorrect labeling, punishable by fines up to 30,000 baht; 3) food production facilities failing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, punishable by fines up to 10,000 baht.
The FDA Secretary-General concluded by emphasizing that product label details must match authorized products to protect consumers with accurate information and ensure fairness for law-abiding producers. The FDA will continue legal actions against offenders to build confidence in the standards and transparency of food products sold in Thailand.