A mobile laboratory that will be able to analyze food samples at markets around the country was launched by the Ministry of Commerce yesterday, at the same time the ministry announced it was seeking Chinese support in building testing facilities at land borders to analyze imports.

Food scares in Cambodia are common. In September authorities intervened after formaldehyde-tainted prahok, or fermented fish, was discovered in Takeo province, while last month the government stressed that there was no evidence of plastic rice in the Kingdom.

In an effort to better protect the public from toxic food, and to allay fears, Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak said the mobile laboratory will boost CamControl officers in carrying out their important food safety role.

“The mobile lab will help officers to analyze the foods faster and allow the expert officers to take immediate action for out of date goods, bad quality goods and chemically-tainted products. The officers will confiscate those products on site and ban their sale in the market,” Mr. Sorasak said at the launch in Phnom Penh.

The lab will be capable of testing for pesticide contamination, livestock medicines, chemical additives such as borax and formalin and to check purity of such foods as cooking oil...
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/32101/ ... -launched/

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