Phuket seafood passes contaminants test

PHUKET TOWN: Phuket seafood has a clean record so far in a crackdown on the use of preservatives and other chemical additives, Pramual Rakjai, chief of Phuket Provincial Fishing Port, said today. He told the Governor’s regular media conference that fishing boats, dealers and vendors would come under scrutiny as the checks continue in the national campaign. The project, which began on October 1, is aimed at reassuring buyers of seafood that Thai products are healthy and natural. “Our objective is to reassure Phuket residents and tourists that they will get fresh, clean, safe seafood, the favorite cuisine here,” K. Pramual said. “It will help us to promote Phuket as a safe-food place.” Seafood dealers are being told how to clean and keep seafood properly to maintain quality. A special test kit is also being used to probe for use of the preservative Formalin. Contaminated seafood turns test chemicals red in just three minutes, he said. “If we check and find it, the first time, we issue a warning,” he said. “If we find it again, those people will be prosecuted for sure”. He invited the public to telephone 076-212009 or 076-211956 if they suspect the seafood they are being sold is contaminated or otherwise substandard.