Cambodian PM advises people to be vigilant over food safety after tainted wine kills 19

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday called on people of the country to pay attention to food safety after tainted rice wine had killed 19 people and sickened 172 others in eastern Kratie province since last month.

"I'd like to appeal to the people to pay attention to food safety for your own health and lives," the prime minister said during a religious conference here.

He also asked local authorities to enhance inspections for food safety.

"The authorities have responsibility to inspect food safety; however, each person should take responsibility for his/her own life," he said.

At least 19 people had died and 172 others fallen ill in Kratie province in five separate incidents in recent weeks after they consumed rice wine brewed with "high levels of methanol," Ly Sovann, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, said Sunday.

Laboratory tests found that the tainted wine contained methanol levels between 10.57 percent and 12 percent, which were much higher than the safe level of 0.15 percent.

On Sunday, a ban on the production of rice wine in the province was imposed, and stalls selling rice wine were closed.

Rice wine is popular in rural areas in Cambodia due to its cheap price. Enditem