The Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF) of the Ministry of Commerce has clarified that a brand of rapid test kit which is currently being sold online cannot detect banned chemicals, including agricultural toxins or prohibited colouring substances.

The clarification was made on Monday, June 2, following recent social media claims that the rapid test kits can detect harmful chemicals that pose a risk to consumer health in fruit and vegetables, supposedly determining whether they are safe to consume.

The CCF stated that the function of the kits is limited to measuring the amount of nitrate found in vegetables, fruits, fish and meat. They cannot identify banned chemicals, pesticides, illegal dyes or other toxic substances.

It urged business owners, distributors and promoters to adhere to factual and clear messaging about what any given device can and cannot do, in order to avoid misleading the public.

“We will take strict legal action against any form of commercial advertisement that is false, misleading, deceptive or causes public confusion,” it stated.

Banned substances include chemicals like Auramine O or Basic Yellow 2.

Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the relevant authorities to intensify monitoring and enforcement to prevent the import of food products containing hazardous substances. This includes the temporary suspension of the import of durians and beef due to concerns over infectious diseases. His advice delivered during a May 23 cabinet meeting.

Separately, the authorities destroyed over eight tonnes of cosmetic products on May 30. The 1,542 packages had previously been seized due to substandard quality and non-compliance with regulations.