Imported salmon in the market is safe to eat, according to the Public Health Ministry's food quality and safety agency.
The Food Quality and Safety Office, which comes under the Department of Medical Sciences, has collected samples of imported salmon to test for toxic substances and found the levels of mercury, lead and cadmium are well below the safety standard.
The findings were unveiled following a food safety alert by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) which issued an order on Jan 25 to district offices to inspect restaurants and food halls offering Japanese sashimi and sushi.
The BMA earlier discovered diners had contracted food poisoning after eating at a Japanese restaurant in Yanawa district with salmon being the suspect.
Jaruwan Limsajjakul, director of the Food Quality and Safety Office, said the agency has been collecting samples of imported salmon to test for three toxic substances from 2012-2015.
Of 78 samples collected over the years, 46 were found to contain mercury ranging from 0.01-0.04 mg/kg. Of 62 samples in that period, five were found to contain lead, and the amount was below 0.01mg/kg. And of 153 samples from a third lot, three were found to contain cadmium ranging from 0.02-0.12 mg/kg.
She said the levels of contamination for all three substances are below the safety standards and the products are considered safe for consumption.
Ms Jurawan said the department and the Food and Drugs Administration have been keeping a close watch on all sushi dishes that are sold by food carts and called on consumers to be careful.
She admitted that in some cases, unsafe food had been found and corrective action was taken.
In 2013, the office collected 52 samples of sashimi dishes from various restaurants, supermarkets and mini-marts in Bangkok and surrounding provinces for food safety testing.
The products were tested for good micro-organisms, which indicate a safe and healthy environment in the places where the food is prepared, and bad ones that cause food poisoning.