Consumers should be wary of buying fruits and vegetables in Bangkok shopping malls, the groups said. Inspectors found more cases of contaminated produce in several big supermarkets in Bangkok than those sold at fresh markets in Bangkok suburbs, as well as in Yasothon and Songkhla, Ms Prokchon said.
"The results of the sampling might contradict what most people believe, that the products in big department stores might be safer and have better standards than local markets," Ms Prokchon said.
The findings have led to talks with representatives from shopping malls and the ACFS. But consumer advocate Phachara Klaokla said the state officials "appeared rather passive" and did not talk about resolving the problem. At that point the consumer groups decided to announce their findings.
ACFS chief Sakchai Sibunsue argued that officials occasionally sample food with the Q mark for inspection and take action if problems arise. In the case of the contaminated Sai Nam Phueng oranges, he believed farmers may have mixed Q-marked oranges with unsafe ones to increase the number sold.