Characteristics of Offenses and Law Enforcement According to the Food Act B.E. 2522 in Sakon Nakhon Province

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of offenses and prosecutions under the Food Act B.E. 2522 in Sakon Nakhon Province during the fiscal years 2017 to 2022. Method: The research was a retrospective descriptive approach, collecting prosecution data related to the Food Act B.E. 2522 from records maintained by the Health Consumer Protection and Pharmacy Department at Sakon Nakhon Provincial Public Health Office. Data collection spanned from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022. Results: Over the six-year period from 2017 to 2022, the Sakon Nakhon Provincial Public Health Office processed a total of 138 cases involving violations of the Food Act B.E. 2522. The majority of offenders were business owners as a natural person (75.4 percent). Most offenses occurred in food production facilities (96.4 percent), with the majority of them holding licenses to produce food (96.2 percent), and not categorized as factories (74.4 percent). Most offenders were owners of business in producing drinking water in sealed containers (68.1 percent), followed by ice (17.4 percent), ready-to-eat food (4.4 percent), and cow milk (3.6 percent). The three most common types of offenses were: 1) non-compliance with the Ministry of Public Health's regulation on production methods, equipment, and food storage guidelines or GMP (59.5 percent), 2) production of food that did not meet established standards (27.5 percent), and 3) violation of the Ministry of Public Health's regulations concerning food labeling (10.2 percent). The majority of offenders were first-time offenders (76.8 percent). Majority of offenses were identified through surveillance inspections (80.4 percent). Director of the Provincial Public Health Office possessed the authority to impose fines for the majority of offenses (98.5 percent). Most offenders admitted guilt and consented to fines (94.2 percent). In cases where fines were imposed, they were mostly set at 1,000 baht (34.6 percent), with a median fine of 3,000 baht. Conclusion: Most offenders were owners of the business in the production of drinking water in sealed containers. The predominant offenses were associated with production sites failing to adhere to GMP guidelines and producing food that did not meet established standards. Consequently, it is recommended that the Sakon Nakhon Provincial Public Health Office focus on educating owners of the business on food production about GMP principles and relevant laws, implementing proactive surveillance measures, and enforce regulations to ensure consumer safety.