reader Posted September 6 Posted September 6 From Bangkok Post The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will implement the Hold, Test, Release (HTR) measure to enhance the effectiveness of screening imported fruit and vegetables starting next year, in the wake of news that tainted produce, largely from China, was being dumped into the Thai market. Lertchai Lertvut, FDA deputy secretary-general, said that the FDA will introduce the measure to expedite the process of verifying the quality and safety of imported produce. An immediate import ban will be imposed if the produce fails the test. Random samples of imported fruit and vegetables will be collected and subjected to lab tests, with results available within 24 hours. The testing process requires efficient logistics to ensure the produce reaches the lab as quickly as possible and in pristine condition. If the lab tests reveal contamination with hazardous substances or pesticides, a sales ban will be enforced on the imported produce in question. Once the HTR measure is enforced next year, any produce suspected of contamination or substandard quality will be pulled aside for inspection. It will only be released for sale if it passes the test. Quote
