The Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF) is currently preparing several draft regulations concerning food management, to be submitted to the new Cabinet for review and approval.
Officials of the CCF, which operates under the Ministry of Commerce, are also continuing to assess food quality in the markets to ensure the safety of the public.
CCF director-general Phan Oun shared insights into the new regulations with The Post.
Oun explained that once the commerce minister gives the green light, the regulations will be promptly submitted to the new Cabinet. He believes that the new regulations will provide enhanced support to Cambodia’s food sector.
“The creation of these regulations aims to keep up with the progression of social developments and align with international laws. It is particularly important to ensure food hygiene standards are met,” he said.
“In the context of most international forums, there are sub-decrees that undergo discussions, and are eventually compiled to guide progress. We are adopting the same approach for food safety. We are considering various impacts and aim to ensure alignment with international laws,” he added.
Oun said the regulations encompass various areas, including addressing product liability, the legal age limit for purchasing alcoholic beverages, a revision of sub-decree 27 – which focuses on food hygiene for consumers – and a sub-decree that will define official and reference laboratories.
Separately on August 8, the CCF Phnom Penh branch – in collaboration with the ministry’s Department of Laboratory and the committee of Phsar Thom Thmei, also known as Central Market – deployed a mobile food testing vehicle to inspect and collect 53 food samples.
CCF Phnom Penh branch manager Heng Maly told The Post that the samples encompassed a variety of items, including fruit and vegetables, fresh and dried seafood, meat, prahok – a pungent-smelling fermented fish paste used in a variety of local dish – and even noodles.
“The samples were meticulously analysed within the laboratory vehicle, revealing no presence of prohibited chemicals,” he said.
In conjunction with the analysis, he shared advice with traders, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, emphasising the importance of possessing the appropriate documentation before engaging in purchase or resale activities.
He also drew attention to the importance of avoiding the use of prohibited chemicals, and highlighted various technical regulations governing food products that directly impact consumer health and safety.
“We continuously advise vendors to present their products responsibly. This entails the proper display of sun-dried goods and knowing how to identify expired items,” he added.
Noting the rapid expansion of the food sector which is driven by population growth, Maly urged consumers to remain vigilant.
He also reiterated the importance of vendors encouraging one another to adhere to quality control, product and service safety, consumer protection and food safety laws. Such compliance is vital to prevent outcomes that could potentially endanger public health or lead to legal consequences.
“We observe both individuals and market vendors demonstrating enthusiasm and support for our initiatives. By scrutinising goods, we are ensuring food safety, safeguarding health, and protecting their economic interests,” he said.
