The Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts is urging provincial authorities to dissolve spurious palm sugar operations, after 43 sham sugar producers were shut down earlier this week.

On Tuesday, Minister Cham Prasidh ordered provincial officials to investigate and close any facility that appears to cut its Khmer palm sugar with similar substances, such as white sugar, in order to keep the industry in line with international standards.

“This action is the economic sabotage to damage the reputation of Khmer palm sugar, which is the national product and is popular among the public and abroad,” Prasidh said yesterday.

The order follows the ministry’s investigation and closure of 43 palm sugar facilities in Takeo province’s Bati district earlier this week.

Hay Ly Eang, CEO of palm sugar firm Confirel, said he believes producers who jeopardise Cambodia’s economy and consumers’ health should face tough legal measures.

“The fake sugar produced by Cambodian producers . . . heavily affects the reputation of natural palm sugar,” he said. “The action of those producers is an economic crime.”