The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found no formalin contamination in 42 vegetable samples tested in the wake of reports of formalin being used on Chinese cabbage.
The FDA has stepped up surveillance of vegetables after reports emerged that formaldehyde solution was being used to keep Chinese cabbage fresh during transport.
Supattra Boonserm, secretary-general of the FDA, said the agency had ordered food and drug checkpoints to tighten inspections of imported vegetables and conduct risk-based sampling, while also checking Chinese cabbage already on the domestic market.
As of Tuesday, a total of 22 samples, including Chinese cabbage, pak choi, coral lettuce, coriander and celery, had been tested at Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen and Bangkok Port.
Another 20 Chinese cabbage samples were collected from two domestic wholesale markets, comprising 11 imported samples and nine produced locally. No formalin contamination was detected.
The move followed reports online about formaldehyde solution being used during the bulk purchase and transport of cabbage in northern China. Authorities in Hebei province have also confirmed illegal use of the chemical and ordered investigations, according to CCTV News.
Ms Supattra said Thailand has measures to oversee the safety of fruit and vegetables throughout the supply chain. Here, food treated with formaldehyde is prohibited from being produced, imported or sold. Violators face six months to two years in prison and fines of 5,000 to 20,000 baht.
Formaldehyde is used for disinfection and cleaning in medical and industrial applications but is not permitted to be used to soak, spray or preserve food. Its misuse on vegetables, fruit, seafood or meat can cause irritation of the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.