His agency. which started work six months ago. has cracked down on illegal sales of many products. These include the skin whitening drug glutathione and controversial herbal drugs and eye drops sold
These are only initial steps Pol maj Gen Jaturong said. Next month he wants to embaek on a food hygiene drive. Working with the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) his agency will arrest vendors if contaminated meat and vegetables
' We ' ve received many complaints about the safety and cleanliness of food '' he said '' This year I want work on improving the quality if food sold ''
He will take action under the Consumer Protection Act and Food Act against vendors who sell substandard food.
To achieve his goal. he gas formed a team of police called '' fresh-market investigators''. They will sample and test fruit and vegetables on sale in markers. If officers suspect food is contaminated. they will try to trace its origins.
Contrary to popular belief says wrongdoers face much heavier penalties than mere token fines
in serious cases they could be sentenced to two years in jail and fined up to 20000 baht