Thai minister quits over food scandal

A member of Thailand's Cabinet has resigned to take responsibility for the distribution of contaminated canned fish that gave food poisoning to hundreds of flood victims.

A member of Thailand's Cabinet has resigned to take responsibility for the distribution of contaminated canned fish that gave food poisoning to hundreds of flood victims. Minister of Social Development and Human Security Witoon Nambutr said he was stepping down to keep from discrediting the ruling Democrat party, to which he belongs.

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He is the first member to leave the Cabinet of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, which took office in December. Hundreds of people fell ill with food poisoning from the fish, which was distributed as relief supplies in January to flood victims in the southern province of Phatthalung.

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration banned sale of products from the canning company after the incident.