Firm ordered to recall all canned fish mislabeled mackerel

Food and Drug Administration inspected a factory in Samut Sakhon province today, after a report by a Facebook user claiming that fish in canned products he purchased appeared abnormal and did not match the label stating that they were mackerel.

Thai FDA Secretary-General Supattra Boonserm said the company has been ordered to recall all products from the market. A total of 12,760 cans at the production site, along with 250 cans found at distribution points, have been seized.

Thai FDA is also coordinating with the Department of Fisheries to verify the exact species of fish used.

She said that, although the original poster deleted the clip after receiving compensation from the company, her office, as the regulatory authority, must conduct a thorough investigation to protect consumers.

The inspection found that the company failed to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and that finished products contained other types of fish, as previously reported.

The FDA Secretary-General emphasised that substituting other fish, even if safe for consumption, while labelling the product as mackerel constitutes consumer deception.

This violates the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979), which carries penalties ranging from six months to 10 years in prison and fines of 5,000 to 100,000 baht.

Incorrect labelling that misleads consumers about essential information is also punishable by a fine of up to 30,000 baht. Producers are urged to conduct their business ethically.

The issue came to light after a Facebook user under the name “Tao Somchai Ngai” bought a pack of canned fish labeled as mackerel. Upon opening the cans, he noticed that the fish looked unusual and unlike the mackerel he regularly consumes.

Thai PBS contacted the video’s owner, who said he frequently buys this brand from a nearby grocery shop. He became suspicious though that the pack he bought on May 1 might not contain mackerel, so he opened every can.

A friend who was with him also bought two additional packs, and they found the same type of fish in all of them.

In the video posted on social media, a voice notes that the fish’s texture resembled blackchin tilapia.

After the clip was posted, the manufacturer contacted the man, apologised and provided compensation. The company said the fish was not blackchin tilapia, as suspected, but tilapia.

Nevertheless, to reassure consumers, it decided to recall all products. The poster then deleted the clip to ease concerns.