Thailand Bolsters Testing Measures for Durian Exports

According to Thai media reports, Itthi Sirilattayakorn, Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, visited a plant inspection checkpoint in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom on Jan. 20 to address the recent issue of auramine O contamination of the country’s durians.

To ensure that durians are able to reach Chinese consumers ahead of Chinese New Year, six Thai laboratories approved by China Customs began conducting random sampling for auramine O testing on the evening of Jan. 17.

On Jan. 20 and 21, the laboratories inspected 13 batches of durians from 11 packaging facilities, with a combined weight of 155.5 metric tons and a total value exceeding 11 million Thai baht ($325,000). Among these, seven batches, weighing 58.5 metric tons and valued at approximately 3 million baht ($89,000), originated from five packaging facilities in Chanthaburi province. The remaining six batches, weighing 97 metric tons and valued at approximately 8 million baht ($236,000), were sourced from six packaging facilities in Chumphon province.

On Jan. 20, six batches of durians were cleared for export to China via land at the Nakhon Phanom checkpoint. On Jan. 20 and 21, three batches of durians were cleared at the Chiang Khong checkpoint, all of which passed laboratory testing.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives emphasized that durians exported to China must adhere to four strict quality control measures: no immature durians, no insect infestations, no false declarations and no use of prohibited chemicals. Prior to export, each batch of durians must undergo auramine O testing of both the pulp and rind. Additionally, the cadmium content of the pulp must not exceed 0.05 milligrams per kilogram.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.