Thailand tightens quality control of exported durian.

VTV.vn - This move comes as the Thai government is striving to protect the quality and reputation of its durian exports.

Thailand tightens quality control of exported durian.

Thai agricultural authorities have stepped up inspections of durian packing plants in Chanthaburi after discovering 1.4 tons of unripe or fallen durians due to recent summer storms. This move comes as the Thai government strives to protect the quality and reputation of its durian exports.

Ms. Piyarat Tiyapairat, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, said she had instructed the National Agro-Food Standards Agency (ACFS) to coordinate with local authorities in Chanthaburi to prevent "storm-damaged durian" from entering domestic and international consumer markets. She also requested that durian packing plants strictly adhere to the mandatory standard TAS 9070-2023 and called for strict enforcement of the Agricultural Standards Act 2008 (BE 2551) against violators.

Accordingly, the ACFS Standards Control team, in coordination with local authorities in Chanthaburi, conducted inspections of fresh durian collection and packaging facilities, commonly known as "long-term durian," from May 1-3. Officials inspected eight durian packaging facilities in Chanthaburi and found one facility in Salaeng commune, Mueang district, with unripe or fallen durians due to the storm. At this location, there were 529 durians with a total weight of approximately 1.4 tons.

Officials instructed the facility owner to separate unripe durians and mark them with paint to prevent them from being mixed with ripe durians. The owner was also warned that if unripe durians were found a second time, their license would be suspended for 30 to 90 days, prohibiting them from producing durians for export.

Officials also discovered that two durian packing facility owners had purchased fresh durians without the required production license according to the mandatory standard TAS 9070-2023. They will face legal action, with penalties ranging from a fine of up to 300,000 baht (nearly $10,000), imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

In addition, ACFS has also enforced the Agricultural Standards Act 2008 against durian packers that did not comply with the mandatory standard TAS 9070-2023. A total of 23 producers received warnings, of which one producer and exporter had their license suspended for 30 days starting May 6th, meaning they are not allowed to produce or export durian during the suspension period. Relevant certification bodies have also been notified to review the suspension of this producer's certification.

CFS stated that this enforcement action aims to control the quality of Thai durian and prevent substandard fruit from entering the market. The agency said the move also aims to build long-term consumer trust both inside and outside Thailand.

Source: https://vtv.vn/thai-lan-siet-chat-kiem-soat-chat-luong-sau-rieng-xuat-khau-100260507134935408.htm