The Tbong Khmum provincial Department of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Prevention (CamControl) on Wednesday sent six types of vegetables back to Vietnamese merchants after chemical substances were found on them.

In a separate case, Svay Rieng CamControl officials retrieved almost 100kg of goods with chemical substances from sellers in the province.

Tbong Khmum provincial CamControl director Meas Mora said on Wednesday that experts analysed 14 types of goods imported from Vietnam through the Trapaing Phlong international border checkpoint in Ponhea Kraek district.

Six goods were contaminated – white onions, red onions, garlic, Chinese cabbage, lemons and carrots.

CamControl officials ordered the Department of Customs and Excise Office to send the vegetables back to Vietnam.

If merchants wished to import such vegetables again, they must show certificates provided by the countries of origin certifying that they do not contain chemical substances, Mora said.

“I call on importers of vegetables, fruits and food through border checkpoints to be more careful.

“They must only import goods of good quality, not food with prohibited chemical substances or expired foods that can affect the health of consumers. Otherwise, they will be punished under the law,” he said.

In a separate case, Svay Rieng CamControl officials on Wednesday confiscated and destroyed 30kg of dried stingray and 65kg of Yang Li Yi tofu which contained Borax, a chemical cleaning product. The products were found at the Veal Yun market.

Svay Rieng CamControl director Pheng Nil said experts checked 40 different types of goods at the market.

“Our officials found Borax in dried stingray and Yang Li Yi tofu. We retrieved these goods and burnt them.

“We will continue to check other goods for chemical substances that can affect consumer health. We call on sellers to cooperate with officials to check all types of goods in provincial markets,” Nil said.