The Ministry of Public Health has set a goal that in 3 years it will be able to improve the quality of fresh markets throughout the nation to be more enticing to consumers with health assured products.

Deputy Minister of Public Health Wichan Meenchainant (วิชาญ มีนชัยนันท์) opened a meeting of fresh market operators from across the nation today calling on them to expedite efforts to bring their markets up to health standards. He also gave out the Best Fresh Market 2008 award and joined the market operators in singing an agreement to develop their establishments. The markets are now compelled to reach 3 main standards including hygiene and environment, food safety and consumer protection.

Following 4 years of initiation of the project, 1045 markets have been found to meet the criteria, equaling 69 percent of the nations fresh markets. The ministry is now aiming to achieve 90 percent within 3 years.

Source : National News Bureau, Public Relations Department of Thailand