Lawyers for the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group on Thursday withdrew charges against a popular television show host and producer after he issued an apology for his Facebook comment suggesting CP's packaged rice was contaminated with toxic chemicals.
Sutthiphong Thammawuthi eats a spoonful of rice during a visit to a packing facility of rice brand Royal Umbrella on Wednesday. (Photo by Sunthon Pongpao)
Sumeth Laomoraporn, chief executive of CP Intertrade Co, CP's rice-producing subsidiary, said representatives from the company met on Wednesday with Sutthiphong Thammawuthi, managing director of TV Burapha, after the TV executive visited CP's packing facility for its Royal Umbrella brand of rice in Ayutthaya province.
He said Mr Sutthiphong had first verbally apologised for his comments and then issued a letter of apology.
"Mr Sutthiphong will also explain the process of producing quality rice for Royal Umbrella in his programmes, including Khon Khon Khon (People Searching People) and Kob Nok Kala (Think Outside the Box). He's now adjusting the scripts," Mr Sumeth said.
Mr Sutthiphong said the criticism he had made via social media was wrong, and packed rice under the Royal Umbrella and Benjarong brands was definitely safe.
The Food and Drug Administration meanwhile said it had decided to amend food safety regulations setting the maximum allowable residual level of three fumigants in rice products.
The maximum level of hydrogen phosphide and sulphuryl fluoride permitted in rice will be set at 0.1mg/kg. The level of methyl bromide will also be set at 0.01 milligrammes per kilogramme, but detection of this gas is difficult, so it will be measured through the presence of bromide ions, which may not to exceed 50mg/kg.
The agency said these limits are in line with international Codex food safety standards and the amended regulations will be submitted to the public health minister for endorsement.
Thailand has signed the Montreal Treaty to phase out the use of methyl bromide, because of global warming concerns. Scientific evidence has shown that it depletes the ozone layer.