Cambodia Import-Export Inspection and Fraud Repression Directorate General (Camcontrol) and local authorities in Pursat province’s Kandieng district raided two markets and a store on Monday and seized a total of 216.75kg of products, including expired beverages and damaged canned foods.

The dawn to noon search operation was conducted at the Sre Sdok and Banteay Yuon markets, and a house store in the area.

In total, seven types of products were confiscated, ranging from soft drinks to canned foods and which will be destroyed.

Camcontrol provincial director Touch Chao Koy expressed worry that the expiry dates of products are being ignored.

“I’m worried as some people, especially the younger ones, said while they understood the importance of the expiry dates, they could not read the wordings especially on plastic packaging products,” he said.

He said the authorities also tested samples of noodles and seafood but found them safe for consumption.

Koy said during the raids, rusty and damaged canned foods were also seized while pamphlets were distributed to villagers to educate them on the dangers of consuming expired food.

He advised retailers and wholesalers to be aware of the dates stamped on manufactured food items, as they could be prosecuted for selling expired products.