Taiwan adopts revised food act with tough penalties

A starch certification is displayed at an outlet of French retail giant Carrefour June 2 in Taipei City. (CNA)

• Publication Date：06/03/2013
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Amendments to food-related regulations with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment were passed by the ROC Legislative Yuan May 31, part of government efforts to eradicate the use of unapproved additives in food products and safeguard public health.

“We are grateful the Legislature responded swiftly in light of the recent starch incident with a comprehensive revision of related regulations, a step we believe will help improve Taiwan food safety,” Department of Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta said.

Chiu was referring to the recent discovery of starch containing the unapproved chemical maleic anhydride in products such as tapioca balls, rice noodles and tofu puddings.

The Act Governing Food Sanitation has been overhauled and expanded from seven to 10 chapters, with the number of articles increased from 40 to 60. The focus is on strengthening food safety risk management, imported food management, as well as food testing, inspection and control.

The revised act requires related government agencies set up a food safety monitoring system and local food manufacturers establish a tracking system for the production process and trade of food. A mandatory registration scheme will also be implemented for certain food business operators and those with large-scale operations.

Penalties were stepped up across the board on an array of illegal food-related activities, including raising the maximum fine to NT$15 million (US$50,057) for those adding expired materials and ingredients harmful to human health, or using excessive herbicides and veterinary drugs.

Adulterating food with counterfeit or unapproved additives is subject to a maximum three years in prison; or life imprisonment and a possible fine of NT$20 million in cases involving a fatality.

Separately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said news outlets in Malaysia and Singapore reported for the past few days on the ROC government’s swift and transparent handling of the starch incident, and its measures to destroy tainted food items, establish an alert mechanism, and intensify inspections and management.

All foreign missions are instructed to continue providing comprehensive information and measures taken by the ROC government, as well as their results, the MOFA said.

Starting June 1, Taiwan’s starch manufacturers are directed to provide certification for downstream buyers and food processors to ensure their products are free from maleic anhydride.

The DOH Food and Drug Administration and local health departments reported that as of June 2, 92 percent of 13,989 stores inspected nationwide have acquired requisite certification. (RC-JSM)

• Source： Taiwan Today