Public-health inspectors made another check at Naklua Market ahead of the busy Songkran holiday after reports earlier this year of possible contaminated seafood.
Health, consumer protection and disease-control officials joined municipal police in inspecting the Lan Po Park-area market that is a top destination for Thai visitors during the Thai New Year.
Officials made sure vendors were not blocking roads, distributed rat traps and took samples of seafood to test for contamination.
In January, the Public Health Department warned that unscrupulous vendors were adding a dangerous chemical preservative to “fresh” seafood sold in local markets.
The Naklua market was checked for use of formalin as a preservative for fish and fruit. The chemical was created for use in embalming dead bodies, but has been added to water by some vendors to keep seafood looking fresh.
Authorities advise shoppers to inspect seafood carefully, especially noting whether it is frozen or sold on ice. If parts of the meat are falling apart while other areas look fresh the product should be avoided. The same applies to crabs and shellfish with a strange odor.
