Check ice packages thoroughly before purchase: FDA advises
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers to purchase ice cubes in sealed packages that showed the label, product details, weight and the words “consumable ice”.
Secretary-general Withit Saritsadeechaikul warned that anyone who sells contaminated ice would face a fine of up to 50,000 baht.
He said the FDA is cooperating with related agencies to evaluate the quality of ice nationwide.
“Of 53 venues in Bangkok, 37 that provide ice in sealed packages have met standards,” he explained. “Meanwhile, 13 of 16 venues that sell ice in freezers or dispensers have not met the standards. And 58 of 210 samples collected from venues nationwide have also not met the standards,” he said.
“Consumers must check that the ice packages they buy are not damaged, while the ice cubes must be clean and have no dust or weird smell,” he advised.
“Consumers must also thoroughly observe the ice they get from freezers or dispensers.”
Withit asked businesses and shops to implement measures to scoop and preserve ice appropriately, such as cleaning freezers or dispensers regularly and avoiding freezing other objects with ice.
“People who find unclean food can file complaints via FDA hotline 1556 or at Provincial Public Health offices nationwide,” he added.
