Safe Food?

[WilliamTarmby]

Not sure whether to post this here or in the farming section, but I think it is more appropriate here as it will alert more people to the latest Thai scam regarding "Safe Food" Billed as G.A.P

Recently, the local TV has been showing adverts for SAFE food, I am not sure if it is promoted as organic, or just pesticide free. you may have seen them, they show the family buying food stamped with the green "Q" logo and promote it as healthy? (i.e. the Thai woman complains about the price but her friend explains some crap about it having the "Q" label..hence safe and value for money..

Well, it is as safe a guarantee as buying a ticket for the Titanic.

I will explain.

We have been growing Lam Yai for the past 9 years or so, and I (as everyone near me knows- they see the Farang with the spray, they see the weeds turn yellow and die) I use Roundup, 15:15:15 fertilizer and some quite NASTY insecticide, and have done over the past 6 years due to another insect problem we had on some other trees.

Well, two days ago, the local propaganda tannoy system was calling the faithful to prayer, and when the missus went, she was issued a CERTIFICATE from the local Amphur, with the green Q, valid for two years stating the fruit was grown in accordance with GAP policy!

In the 6 years we have grown Lam Yai, not one person has checked what is put on the fruit, what is put on the soil...in fact, I could go out tonight and spray every tree with Anthrax and Botulism but hold a CERTIFICATE that shows the Thai Quality "Q" emblem...disgrace!

So, buyer beware, as usual it's the same same but different shit packaged up again.

Trust NOTHING.. (by the way, even my wife thinks this is a disgrace, not just me!)

As usual, lip service and lies!

[jitagon]

Not sure whether to post this here or in the farming section, but I think it is more appropriate here as it will alert more people to the latest Thai scam regarding "Safe Food" Billed as G.A.P

Recently, the local TV has been showing adverts for SAFE food, I am not sure if it is promoted as organic, or just pesticide free. you may have seen them, they show the family buying food stamped with the green "Q" logo and promote it as healthy? (i.e. the Thai woman complains about the price but her friend explains some crap about it having the "Q" label..hence safe and value for money..

Well, it is as safe a guarantee as buying a ticket for the Titanic.

I will explain.

We have been growing Lam Yai for the past 9 years or so, and I (as everyone near me knows- they see the Farang with the spray, they see the weeds turn yellow and die) I use Roundup, 15:15:15 fertilizer and some quite NASTY insecticide, and have done over the past 6 years due to another insect problem we had on some other trees.

Well, two days ago, the local propaganda tannoy system was calling the faithful to prayer, and when the missus went, she was issued a CERTIFICATE from the local Amphur, with the green Q, valid for two years stating the fruit was grown in accordance with GAP policy!

In the 6 years we have grown Lam Yai, not one person has checked what is put on the fruit, what is put on the soil...in fact, I could go out tonight and spray every tree with Anthrax and Botulism but hold a CERTIFICATE that shows the Thai Quality "Q" emblem...disgrace!

So, buyer beware, as usual it's the same same but different shit packaged up again.

Trust NOTHING.. (by the way, even my wife thinks this is a disgrace, not just me!)

As usual, lip service and lies!

Let's see if I've got this right. You are spraying a 'NASTY' insecticide on your fruit, knowing that it will be sold for human consumption, and are here on this forum complaining that the Thai Government have issued your poisonous produce with a 'safety' certificate? Am I up to speed?

[fred2007]

I know what Round Up is, If that nasty insecticide is made overseas it is safer than spraying you crop whith what Thai farmers spraying there crops

[WilliamTarmby]

Yes, you got it in one!

I can put anything on these trees and I have a 2 year cert. thats gives the big green "Q" (The insecticide only lasts 10 days - I eat the fruit myself, but it is the principal)

I didn't ask for, nor did my wife, for the certificate, it was handed out to all and sundry.

I have some morals, I do not spray my trees within two months of harvest, therefore they are perfectly safe to eat...at least I think so, but I would NEVER claim I was an organic farmer.

[WilliamTarmby]

I know what Round Up is, If that nasty insecticide is made overseas it is safer than spraying you crop whith what Thai farmers spraying there crops

It's actually not that nasty, and yes it is safer than what the Thai farmers use, but it is not cheap, it is about 300% more expensive, but like I said, I have morals, I am not out to destroy the earth, and Roundup becomes degradable on contact with the soil.

All I am saying, is, I am telling you what I do to my Lam Yai, what the Thais do is a dam_n site worse and each and every one of them got the same green Q as we did today...disgusting!

[jdinasia]

You hate the Thais, don't you?

But really, shouldn't you find out what the claims that you are complaining about are? You do not seem to know what the Q means!

[WilliamTarmby]

You hate the Thais, don't you?

But really, shouldn't you find out what the claims that you are complaining about are? You do not seem to know what the Q means!

1:No I don't hate Thais, I hate lies and stupidity ( which you obviously are proficient)

2: Please enlighten us all as to what the "Q" means...my understanding, and yes, I maybe wrong, was that it was a sign of QUALITY, i.e. no Chemicals..and if you watch the adverts you would see they promote that it is "Mai mee Chemmy", but as your obvious lack of comprehension shows, this is beyond you!

3: The reason I posted this was to warn people who (probably like yourself believe everything you see on the TV) believe that the food they are paying extra for is chemical free, it is not IT MEANS ZILCH.

Pleas tell me what you find "objectionable" about my post?

Go feed your kids on the "Q" food, does it now "ease your conscience ...it certainly doesn't make me feel good!

[jdinasia]

Recently, the local TV has been showing adverts for SAFE food, I am not sure if it is promoted as organic, or just pesticide free.

As usual, lip service and lies!

what the Thais do is a dam_n site worse

I frankly don't care as I buy my fruit and veggies at the local market, but I am not setting up a rant thread about something I am not even sure what I am ranting about

[WilliamTarmby]

Thats good..now you have an idea why your fruit and veggies look so good..they are riddled with poison, as is all of the seafood you buy from the gulf of Thailand, it's surprising they can still swim with all the heavy metal (no not Led Zeppelin) inside of them...ask yourself why pork is a problem to export from here along with many other products...it doesn't meet basic hygiene standards or chemical levels.

Then RANT ON! FACT: 90% of the population of Chiang Mai have EXCESSIVE (by WHO standards..but that won't bother you) Agricultural pesticide residues in their bodies?...

[jdinasia]

Thats good..now you have an idea why your fruit and veggies look so good..they are riddled with poison, as is all of the seafood you buy from the gulf of Thailand, it's surprising they can still swim with all the heavy metal (no not Led Zeppelin) inside of them...ask yourself why pork is a problem to export from here along with many other products...it doesn't meet basic hygiene standards or chemical levels.

Then RANT ON! FACT: 90% of the population of Chiang Mai have EXCESSIVE (by WHO standards..but that won't bother you) Agricultural pesticide residues in their bodies?...

Care to cite that source?

[soundman]

OP - thanks for the tip. I know where you are coming from, with respects to different angles concerning Thai commerce.

Anything that is good for local commerce will passed without much of a thought by those who are passing it as to the effects of their decision, beyond the local sor jor's (pattana) directive to get things moving in his district.

No.1 on the list of negligent actions is passing off food as a grade that it shouldn't achieve.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[OlRedEyes]

Nice to read a post by a belligerent farmer Makes a great change from the standard whining about the Thai chicks.

Sounds like you are soon gonna strip and give those Lam Yai a double dose before sending them off to market just to get us And with a Q certificate.

Hey, this is Thailand. Most posters on here are pretty cynical farang, who ain't gonna put much faith in any Thai quality seal.

What with all the hormones, pesticides et al, we just pays our money and takes our chance. <deleted> can we do?

Wonder if they have picked up some useful tips re milk lately

Edited October 4, 2008 by OlRedEyes

[soundman]

we just pays our money and takes our chance. <deleted> can we do?

Did that with some Indian food in Ao Nang earlier this year and really regretted it.

[WilliamTarmby]

Thats good..now you have an idea why your fruit and veggies look so good..they are riddled with poison, as is all of the seafood you buy from the gulf of Thailand, it's surprising they can still swim with all the heavy metal (no not Led Zeppelin) inside of them...ask yourself why pork is a problem to export from here along with many other products...it doesn't meet basic hygiene standards or chemical levels.

Then RANT ON! FACT: 90% of the population of Chiang Mai have EXCESSIVE (by WHO standards..but that won't bother you) Agricultural pesticide residues in their bodies?...

Care to cite that source?

**flame removed***

I have just told you I have a government certificate that clears my fruit produce for 2 YEARS as Q quality (which you still haven't explained your claim as to what this means please tell us!)

I can put anything I want on this,Anthrax spores, dog shit, and I can still hold the Thai Q cert...what citations do you need you...you... you..Smart person you!

"Some men you just can't help, What we have got here is failure to communicate! Some men you just can't reach, so we get here what we got here last week, which is the way he wants it, well, he gets it.

I don't like it any more than he likes it!"

[jdinasia]

***flame removed*** Cite the WHO study stating what you claim they say (edit) hence me quoting your post with the claim that needed citation

Edited October 4, 2008 by sbk
no flaming!--sbk

[WilliamTarmby]

Nice to read a post by a belligerent farmer Makes a great change from the standard whining about the Thai chicks.

Sounds like you are soon gonna strip and give those Lam Yai a double dose before sending them off to market just to get us And with a Q certificate.

Hey, this is Thailand. Most posters on here are pretty cynical farang, who ain't gonna put much faith in any Thai quality seal.

What with all the hormones, pesticides et al, we just pays our money and takes our chance. <deleted> can we do?

Wonder if they have picked up some useful tips re milk lately

Honestly,

I can spray my trees with a multitude of shit, but I don't. I believe I have a little bit of honesty left in me.

I agree again about taking your chances and paying your money.

What really pisses me off is the Thai lies that you are paying extra money in the belief you are getting a "safe product" when actually you are getting SHIT that can kill your kids!

Look at the recent scandal with the Chinese an the the BABY MILK..how heartless can you get where you would kill a baby for the sake of a few baht...I despise the Chinese government,. I worked there for about 8 years..Sri Racha John will correct me, and they have less compassion than Thailand..you cannot equate here with the west, not in one million years

[sbk]

I understand that the OP is passionate about this issue but that is NO CAUSE for flaming and abuse when asked to cite a source for a statistic.

Let's all remember to mind our manners here and try to have a discussion without resorting to name calling. Further such behavior WILL result in formal action.

[dumball]

I understand that the OP is passionate about this issue but that is NO CAUSE for flaming and abuse when asked to cite a source for a statistic.

Let's all remember to mind our manners here and try to have a discussion without resorting to name calling. Further such behavior WILL result in formal action.

I think the OP did cite scourse , WHO , WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION , should be fairly simple to google instead of gaggle .

[jdinasia]

I understand that the OP is passionate about this issue but that is NO CAUSE for flaming and abuse when asked to cite a source for a statistic.

Let's all remember to mind our manners here and try to have a discussion without resorting to name calling. Further such behavior WILL result in formal action.

I think the OP did cite scourse , WHO , WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION , should be fairly simple to google instead of gaggle .

no, he claimed something without citing the source (nothing came up when I googled or I would not have asked for a citation. I don't think he'll be back with any citation for us though ... oh well

[WilliamTarmby]

I understand that the OP is passionate about this issue but that is NO CAUSE for flaming and abuse when asked to cite a source for a statistic.

Let's all remember to mind our manners here and try to have a discussion without resorting to name calling. Further such behavior WILL result in formal action.

Jings, I am not flaming,,I am trying to help you, to take care of you kids and not believe the rubbish the Thai government publish.

You think I am flaming..I wouldn't bother posting! What I am saying, the lies from the government here will kill you!

[kmart]

I understand that the OP is passionate about this issue but that is NO CAUSE for flaming and abuse when asked to cite a source for a statistic.

Let's all remember to mind our manners here and try to have a discussion without resorting to name calling. Further such behavior WILL result in formal action.

Jings, I am not flaming,,I am trying to help you, to take care of you kids and not believe the rubbish the Thai government publish.

You think I am flaming..I wouldn't bother posting! What I am saying, the lies from the government here will kill you!

Appreciate your passion on this subject. I tend to agree with you also.

[GungaDin]

You hate the Thais, don't you?

But really, shouldn't you find out what the claims that you are complaining about are? You do not seem to know what the Q means!

1:No I don't hate Thais, I hate lies and stupidity ( which you obviously are proficient)

2: Please enlighten us all as to what the "Q" means...my understanding, and yes, I maybe wrong, was that it was a sign of QUALITY, i.e. no Chemicals..and if you watch the adverts you would see they promote that it is "Mai mee Chemmy", but as your obvious lack of comprehension shows, this is beyond you!

3: The reason I posted this was to warn people who (probably like yourself believe everything you see on the TV) believe that the food they are paying extra for is chemical free, it is not IT MEANS ZILCH.

Pleas tell me what you find "objectionable" about my post?

Go feed your kids on the "Q" food, does it now "ease your conscience ...it certainly doesn't make me feel good!

So, Q=BS, who'd have thought!

Thanks for the heads-up.

Why don't you use local Neem, spray + cake?

Your veggies will be organic.

Ignore jdinasia.

[Lickey]

Cant agree with the OP more, thai legsilation leaves a lot to be desired as far as Q papers go, we have a 40 rai fruit farm and we have been near overcome with insect problems this year, weve had to use insecticides and herbicides, weed killer [paraquat] on or near the 1200 banana,800 papaya,60 tamarind trees, 50 lamyai trees an lots of other fruiters, I hate doing this, its exspensive and the fruit tastes different to more natural fruit, it also takes a lot of natural properties and bug predators out of the ground.

So this year im going to plant some banana/papaya/falang potatos in a set aside plot, not many, just enough to keep an eye on, using only homemade compost as fertiliser and neem oil as a repellant against bugs ect, as for the weeds, will use to make more compost, any green plant is full of nitrogen,

And hopefully at Xmas i will have some natural tasting fruit with or without goverment approval.

Cheers, Lickey.

[GungaDin]

G'day Lickey.

How much do you pay per litre for Neem concentrate and cake?

gd

[Lickey]

Gungadin, what i have is not the bees knees genuine neem oil, but the nearest i could get at the time, i have a lathe coolant oil which is souluable in water, 4 ltrs in homepro costs 450bht, 1/2 pint in 25 ltrs with a motor back pack has certainly kept the gremlins at bay,

Cheers Lickey.

[GungaDin]

lathe coolant oil !

[Lickey]

I should also add that 10 or so crushed garlic bulbs boiled up and strained is added to the spray mix, there are not many insects that will tackle the smell of garlic and the slipperyness of a neem related product.

[OlRedEyes]

Excuse my ignorance, I sure ain't no farmer, but wont' the garlic permeate the product, and leave a taste??

Garlic flavoured mango's

[WilliamTarmby]

check this

and this

and this

and this

and this

and more

You ever wonder why they cannot export pork to Europe???

Ever been for a swim in "Klitty Creek"

Look at the sea at Rayong...you would like to swim there?

PAK GAT - Kale, is the most highly contaminated vegetable in Thailand- I tried growing a couple of times but the bugs devoured everything, 200metres from me, a local had the most beautiful kale you could imagine, but with enough pesticide to drop a horse!

[Loaded]

So many Thai people I have known, died of cancer in their 40s and 50s - it's shocking. Certainly, I made the connection years ago between the food that is allowed to be sold to humans and cancer rates.

A local Thai restaurant used by locals and tourists in Chiang Mai proudly had a Good Quality sign hanging on it's wall. It said in English that this restaurant was inspected and had passed strict testing bla bla. At the bottom of the sign is a small space to allow the name of the restaurant to be printed. The owner (a non-English reader) eventualy caught on to why farang kept laughing at his sign - in English the name of the restaurant was McDonalds, Changklan Road.

Nobody cares here. It's all a game. This a country where 'copyright' is read as 'right to copy'; cheating is common and only negative if the cheater is exposed as a cheat - loss of face for getting caught. Unfortunately we have to accept this situation because if Thais don't care, there's little chance of farangs making a difference. Can you really believe the organic label on 'organic' fruit and veggies at Rimping and other high-end supermarkets? Who checks?

Edited October 5, 2008 by Loaded