Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Tainted prahok found in Takeo

Tainted prahok found in Takeo

An official inspects contaminated prahok from Vietname on Friday during a raid on a Takeo property. Photo supplied
An official inspects contaminated prahok from Vietname on Friday during a raid on a Takeo property. Photo supplied

Tainted prahok found in Takeo

Over 3 tonnes of contaminated prahok – made of fish illegally imported from Vietnam – were confiscated on Friday by Takeo authorities from some of the same sites that in September had already been warned to stop using smuggled fish.

Pao Leangkong, chief of the Takeo branch of import inspector Camcontrol, said the raid was led by deputy prosecutor Phan Sopheak and took place at production sites in Prey Touk village in Traing district.

The fermented fish paste was contaminated with formaldehyde, a common embalming agent, and the sites were also found to be unhygienic and unlicensed. “They don’t listen,” he said. “Those are the same old compounds.”

In September, more than 180 kilos of contaminated prahok were confiscated from four different sites in Traing district after it was found the fish used had been smuggled from Vietnam, a practice the sites were warned to stop. Authorities today will ask the prosecutor for permission to burn the prahok from the recent raid.

Three people from two production sites were called in for questioning by the prosecutor, but Sopheak couldn’t be reached for comment yesterday.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to