TWO leading ministries in Cambodia have released a joint statement outlining penalties for anyone found in breach of the Law on Food Safety.
Meanwhile, multiple schools have started educating their pupils on the health risks associated with energy drinks and are prohibiting their consumption on school grounds.
The statement from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), released on July 17, highlights that the MoC will be responsible for imposing these fines. The penalties will serve as a source of revenue for the Ministry of Commerce, overriding any previous proclamations.
The statement includes an appendix which specifies that vendors engaging in unregulated, unsanitary, or deceitful practices could face financial penalties ranging from 500,000 to 20 million riel (RM541 to RM21,645).
In a parallel move, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) has issued a new policy prohibiting the sale of certain types of food within educational establishments.
The list of banned items includes expired food, alcohol and tobacco products, food of indeterminate origin, energy drinks, sugary beverages, coffee, ice cream, syrup, chocolate, candy and all forms of chewing gum, as well as all kinds of jellies, doughnuts, sweet cakes, and sweet-dried canned fruits.
Yem Saith, a teacher at Tbeng Primary School in the Banteay Srei district of Siem Reap province, confirmed to The Post on July 26 that her school had been implementing these regulations and providing educational outreach to students for several months.
Yi Kimthan, deputy country director of Plan International Cambodia, endorsed the move to educate children about the risks associated with processed foods and sugary drinks. — The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
