Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan revealed yesterday [Wednesday] that nearly a quarter of the food sold outside Bangkok schools by hawkers is laced with borax.
   
Drawing on the results of a recent survey into foodstuffs sold outside a school in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district, Keyuraphan warned that borax traces were found in 22% of the grilled pork, fried chicken legs and grilled chicken sampled. A massive 32% were meanwhile found to contain illegal food colourings.


The Public Health Ministry’s mobile food-quality inspection unit conducted the survey of 14 different foods as part of the ministry’s school health promotion campaign.


Keyuraphan warned hawkers to stop selling such contaminated foods, and said that if they are caught again the ministry would take action and they would be liable for a Bt20,000 (US$456,500) fine.