Inspection of Counterfeit and Physical Contamination of Food During 2009-2020

Abstract

    According to the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979), section 25 states that no one shall produce or import for sale, or sell impure food and counterfeit food, to deceive buyers about its quality or usefulness. At present, counterfeit food are produced by developing both quality and product charecteristics to attract consumers, however, it often causes dissatisfaction and complaints through various media. Therefore, in order to protect consumers regarding to food quality and safety, food samples complained of physical contamination were examined. The total of 1,062 samples were submitted from the Food and Drug Administration, Provincial Public Health Offices, Regional Medical Sciences Centers and consumers from January 2009 to September 2020. Among all the samples, 140 samples were counterfeit food and 922 samples were physically contaminated. The results showed that algae, pork floss and fake crab meat were not counterfeit, while 473 samples (51.3%) were physically contaminated insects, insect fragments, hairs, sediments and scrap plastic materials. Thus, the tests should be performed to confirm the quality and safety of the food complaints for consumer protection purposes.