The Cambodian Authorities Issue a Warning to Baby/Young Children Food Product Companies
Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak. (Photo from Ministry of Commerce)
- Ou Sokmean
- July 31, 2020 3:34 AM
They have 30 days to comply with government regulations or face severe measures
PHNOM PENH--The Ministry of Commerce on July 28 has sent a warning stating that legal action will be taken against any distribution company that fails to fully comply with baby and children product marketing regulations within 30 days.
Commerce Ministry’s spokesperson Seang Thay said that the ministry’s measure is in response to some importing and distribution companies that have not complied with the government’s sub-decree on Marketing of Products for infants and Young Children Feeding.
“There have been reports by the General Department of Consumer Protection Competition and Counter-Fraud, which indicated that baby and children products were found [with] some problems,” Thay said in a phone interview on July 30, adding that this involved health repercussions especially in the case of infant formula products.
Problems include failure to provide information and guidelines in Khmer language on the products including information on the benefits of breastmilk for babies under 2 years old, he said.
The ministry on July 28 has given a 30-day ultimatum for importers and distributors who have failed to fulfill requirement to remedy the situation and conform with the existing laws and regulations, Thay said.
The ministry has also issued a warning that any company found to have failed to comply with the regulations by the end of the 30 days will have its products confiscated.
In the case of serious infractions by a company, the authorities will order the temporary suspension of its operations in accordance with the law on the Management of Quality and Safety of Products and Services as well as the consumer protection law, Thay added.
