The Ministry of Commerce issued two prakas on February 22, with one detailing the procedure for the temporary suspension of a business which breaches the Kingdom’s Competition Law, and another dealing with the confiscation or withdrawal from sale of unsafe food products.
These two prakas were signed off by commerce minister Pan Sorasak.
The first, which has 13 articles, authorises an investigating officer of the Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF) to suspend a business from trading if it is deemed necessary to prevent serious or irreversible damage to the economy or any individual.
The second, which also has 13 articles, lays out the forms and procedures for the seizure of unsafe food products or those which do not comply with the Kingdom’s technical requirements.
“All food business operators must withdraw their products from sale should they discover that their food is unsafe or does not meet health standards, or if called on to do so by the commerce ministry,” it said.
Phan Oun, government delegate in charge of director-general of the CCF, told The Post that the two Prakas supported several existing sub-decrees and laws, but would enable officials to implement existing regulations more effectively.
“We require food business operators, whether vendors or wholesalers, to withdraw products that they suspect are unsafe. Should they fail to do so, CCF officials will confiscate them. This may result in additional penalties,” he said.
