Photo Credit: Nutthawat Wicheanbut
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that all imported Shine Muscat grapes comply with safety standards, addressing public concerns raised by recent reports of chemical contamination.
Last Tuesday, the FDA’s food and drug inspection division seized 6.93 tonnes of these grapes, valued at 3 million baht, in order to conduct chemical residue tests under its Hold Test Release protocol.
According to deputy director-general Lertchai Lertvut, the grapes passed all regulatory requirements, allowing for their approval for import and domestic sale.
Concerns among the public emerged last month when the Thailand Consumers Council reported that 23 out of 24 Shine Muscat grape samples they tested contained hazardous chemical residues exceeding legal limits. Some samples were found to be contaminated with chlorpyrifos and endrin aldehyde, both of which are prohibited under Thai food safety regulations.
Mr. Lertchai emphasized that the FDA implements rigorous inspection measures for imported fruits and vegetables, including the Hold Test Release protocol, where samples are analyzed at an ISO 17025-certified laboratory for agricultural chemical residues within 24 hours of arrival.
If any residues are found to exceed safety thresholds, the products will be barred from entering the country, and legal actions will be initiated, he stated.
The FDA is urging importers to ensure that their imported produce meets Thai legal standards and comes from certified sources.
Additionally, discussions are planned with foreign embassies to enhance the safety of imported goods, and the FDA will conduct more sampling and random testing at checkpoints, Mr. Lertchai added.
Consumers are advised to soak imported produce in plain water for 15 minutes and then rub it under running water for at least 30 seconds before consumption.
