On January 20, 2026, provincial authorities and the Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression branch burned about one tonne of expired food that failed to meet technical requirements or posed a risk to consumers’ health at the landfill in Ou Kambot village, Ou Oknha Heng sangkat, Kampong Som city, Preah Sihanouk. The action aimed to ensure that consumer products and food were safe for health and to protect public well-being. Deputy Governor Hem Darith represented Governor Mang Sineth. Participants included city and district deputy governors, relevant departments and units, the prosecutor, customs, law-enforcement forces and officials of the provincial Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression branch.
The deputy governor praised the Preah Sihanouk consumer protection branch officials for seizing non-compliant food and arranging its timely destruction, because the goods could harm consumers’ health.
Branch head Khun Simon said that the day’s destruction of goods responded to public concerns and the guidance of Prime Minister Hun Manet. He described the government’s central policy as ensuring food free from chemical contamination and meeting hygiene requirements, protecting public health and maintaining food-market stability, thereby promoting economic growth and development.
The branch head pledged to continue implementing the recommendations of Commerce Minister Cham Nimul and the director-general of the Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate General (CCF), as well as Governor Mang Sineth’s instructions, so that all provincial CCF branch officials would continue stepping up inspections of goods at markets and shops and help improve food safety for consumers in Preah Sihanouk.
He said CCF officials were inspecting food at markets across Preah Sihanouk province and were obtaining positive results in efforts to suppress and completely eliminate certain dangerous chemicals, such as borax, formalin and Auramine O.
During 2024–2025, more than 1,000 kilograms of substandard or unsafe goods had been found and seized at markets in Preah Sihanouk province and burned. These included packaged cakes and snacks, mixed noodles, canned goods, seafood, and vegetables and fruit containing pesticide residues.
He said that, even amid the country’s difficulties, CCF officials continued regular inspections at markets nationwide. He described maintaining growth in domestic products as a source of pride.
He urged traders to compete fairly, avoid practices that undermine prices, and refrain from selling expired, unclear-origin or counterfeit products.
The branch head warned that, otherwise, CCF would take legal action under laws on the quality and safety of products, goods and services and other laws, with measures including licence revocation and, for repeated non-compliance, complete business closure.
By: Pai Sokhim
