Prison food beef: Corrections dept serves defence to influencer gripe

The Department of Corrections responded to allegations made by social media influencer Nara Crepekathoei regarding the quality of prison food, asserting that it meets nutritional standards and undergoes daily quality inspections.

Nara had criticised the food, describing it as bland and unpalatable, prompting the department to clarify its food preparation practices.

Reports from the Bangkok Remand Prison indicate that the culinary division, responsible for preparing meals for inmates, has consistently adhered to food hygiene standards set by the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. The prison’s nutritionists at the Correctional Hospital have certified that the meals provided are nutritionally adequate and meet the necessary standards for consumption.

Moreover, the Chatuchak District Office evaluated the food and water hygiene at the prison, awarding it a “very good” rating for food safety. External agencies regularly provide training on nutrition and food hygiene to both staff and inmates involved in food preparation, ensuring that ingredients are handled in a clean and sanitary manner.

The prison refrains from using strong flavours in its meals to mitigate the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and kidney disease. Since inmates consume prison meals continuously, the prison must consider the diverse health needs of its population, including elderly inmates and those with pre-existing health conditions.

To ensure the food’s taste is acceptable, daily taste tests are conducted by the duty warden, healthcare staff, and inmate representatives. These evaluations have shown general satisfaction with the food’s taste.

The Department of Corrections maintains a system to monitor and supervise the hygienic preparation of meals across all prisons and correctional facilities nationwide. This system ensures that the food is not only nutritious but also sufficient in quantity and appropriate for the inmates’ daily activities. Regular checks of food and water quality by external agencies provide further reassurance to the public regarding the care given to inmates’ dietary needs.

Nara also addressed concerns over a separate incident involving a live broadcast in which she sold gold with Mae Tuck, fearing potential legal repercussions. She revealed the payment details for Mae Tuck’s involvement, but further context on this matter was not provided in the initial reports, reported KhaoSod.