Cambodia bans imports of chicken products from Thailand

PHNOM PENH, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's ministry of commerce on Tuesday prohibited imports of chicken products from Thailand.

"The ministry of commerce instructs all levels of authorities along the border between Cambodia and Thailand to prevent all imports of chicken products from Thailand even though the products have had phyto-sanitary certificate in order to protect our people health," said a directive signed by the minister of commerce Cham Prasidh. "The ban will take effect from the signing date until there is new directive."

The prohibition came after Thai officials raided chicken slaughterhouses in Nakhon Ratchasima province on June 13 and seized about eight tons of decomposed chicken.

The chicken slaughterhouses had soaked dead chickens in strong- smelling formalin solution before processing them as food products.

"The people who consumed formalin-contaminated food may suffer skin irritation, an inflamed stomach, vomiting and diarrhea; moreover, the prolonged consumption can cause damage to nervous system, sterility and cancer," said the directive.