Canned fish concerns: Black-chin vs. small tilapia questioned

Thairath•Politics•8d ago

Reader Briefing

Politician Nattacha questions the species of fish in canned products, raising concerns about potential use of restricted black-chin tilapia instead of labeled sardines and questioning the use of small tilapia.

•Nattacha Bunchaiyapas, a Member of Parliament, held a press conference regarding canned fish disputes.
•Concerns were raised that the fish might be black-chin tilapia, a specially controlled species, rather than sardines as labeled.
•The politician questioned why small tilapia were used, noting their size similarity to black-chin tilapia and the controlled status of the latter.
•The Department of Fisheries stated the fish found was tilapia, but questions remain about the verification process.

Overview

•At 14:30 on May 6, 2026, MP Nattacha Bunchaiyapas of the People's Party led a press conference.
•MP Nattacha Bunchaiyapas stated that black-chin tilapia is a specially controlled animal requiring legal permission for capture, transport, or processing.
•The press conference addressed consumer complaints about canned fish labeled as sardines but containing other species.
•Concerns were raised that the fish in the cans might be black-chin tilapia, which is a specially controlled species, due to its similar appearance.
•Questions were raised about the use of small tilapia, as their size is similar to black-chin tilapia and typically, aquaculture focuses on larger, more valuable fish.
•Nattacha Bunchaiyapas expressed doubts about the inspection process for confirming fish species, including DNA testing.
•The Department of Fisheries has clarified that the fish found in the affected cans is tilapia.
•Nattacha Bunchaiyapas stated that this issue affects the credibility of businesses operating legally and causes consumer concern about product standards.

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Key Quotes

Nattacha Bunchaiyapas

"I reiterate that I am not saying black-chin tilapia cannot be consumed or processed, but this species is currently considered special controlled animal. Its capture, transport, or processing requires legal permission."

ขอย้ำไม่ได้กล่าวว่าปลาหมอคางดำไม่สามารถบริโภคหรือแปรรูปได้ แต่ปัจจุบันปลาชนิดนี้ยังถือเป็นสัตว์ควบคุมพิเศษ การจับ ขนย้าย หรือแปรรูป ต้องได้รับอนุญาตตามกฎหมาย

Nattacha Bunchaiyapas

"However, there are still doubts about the inspection process, such as using DNA comparison or criteria for confirming the species, including the question of why manufacturers choose to use small tilapia."

อย่างไรก็ตาม ยังมีข้อสงสัยเกี่ยวกับกระบวนการตรวจสอบ เช่น การใช้วิธีเทียบ DNA หรือหลักเกณฑ์ในการยืนยันชนิดปลา รวมถึงคำถามว่าเหตุใดผู้ผลิตจึงเลือกใช้ปลานิลขนาดเล็ก

Key Entities

Person

Nattacha(“ณัฐชา”)

Member of Parliament for the People's Party who raised concerns about canned fish.

Nattacha Bun chaiyasat(นายณัฐชา บุญไชยอินสวัสดิ์)

Member of Parliament (list-based) for the People's Party who led the press conference.

Organization

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

Political party whose MPs participated in the press conference regarding canned fish.

MPs from 3 Provinces of the People's Party(สส.พรรคประชาชน 3 จังหวัด)

Group of MPs from Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, and Samut Songkhram provinces affiliated with the People's Party.

Department of Fisheries(กรมประมง)

Government agency that clarified the fish species found in the canned products.

Place

Parliament House(อาคารรัฐสภา)

Location where the press conference regarding canned fish was held.