No preservatives in famous steamed mackerel, corrects protection chief
A consumer protection unit in Samut Songkhram province on Monday denied a widespread claim on social network platforms that preservatives were being added to steamed mackerels, a renowned local product of the province.
The preservatives, according to the claim, cause cancer – even among fishmongers.
Consumer protection chief Panuchote Thongyang, a professional pharmacist, said no preservation are used in the process of making the popular steamed mackerel in the province.
“We have regularly checked the steamed mackerel products in the province and can guarantee that the claims on the social network are groundless,” he said.
Panuchote explained that to make the product, the mackerel is dipped into boiling salted water as a way to preserve them. There is no need to use preservatives, which would also add to the expenses of sellers.
He was referring to a claim that the fish in the market were full of preservatives that could cause cancer.
The claim showed a photo of disfigured hands said to be those of fishmongers who were suffering from cancer.
“Don’t you see that even sellers of the fish themselves got cancer?” the accusation read.
Referring to the photo, Panuchote said it seems to have been taken from cyberspace and had nothing to do with the steamed mackerel.