Prevalence of Food Products with Illegal Claims on the Labels Being Sold In Flea Markets at Loei

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence of food products with illegal claims on the labels being sold in flea markets at Loei. Method: The study was conducted in 24 stores selling food products including coffee, food in sealed containers and food supplements, within 8 districts of Loei. The researcher collected data using the questionnaire for food vendors in flea markets on knowledge on food products, their selling behaviors of food products such as source of the food, inspection of food serial number and expiration date, etc. Additionally, labels on the food products being sold were examined. Results: Nineteen stores in the study sold food products with illegal claims on the labels. Among 135 food items being examined, 66 (48.98%) bore illegal food serial number, while 101(74.81%) were the products with illegally over-claimed labels. The most over-claimed indications were keeping the body in shape or reducing body weight (80.20%), followed by maintaining good health (28.71%). 54.2% of the vendors obtained the products from the wholesalers. 45.8% of respondents selected the products in the stores from the recommendation of wholesalers or distributors. 41.7% of the vendors said they would not consume food products with the claim on disease prevention and treatment that were being sold in their own stores. Conclusion: Food and Drug Administration should add approved labeling information for food products into publicly available database that officers, public and vendors could assess. Government agencies should empower food distributors in the flea markets to be aware of and inspect the legitimacy of the labels before selling.