Background

The project was designed to control the quality of food exports, and the central food laboratory was launched in 2003 by then Agriculture and Cooperatives deputy minister Newin Chidchob. The project was a joint effort between the Finance Ministry and the Office for Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion.
Sitthiporn Associates and Vichitchai Thonburi Co won the Bt1.6billion contract to build the laboratory and buy and install testing units. The drafting of contract terms was earlier found to favour certain bidders.

Latest Development I

Investigators have questioned 17 witnesses, including members of a committee determining the specifications and a committee inspecting and accepting products. The inquiry recently found irregularities in the process of requesting a bank guarantee, and related documents are being sought.