Food Safety Scandal Hits Taiwan

TAIPEI, TaiwanTaiwans Department of Health (DOH) is cracking down food safety after last months discovery that the plasticizer diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) was  found in sports drinks. Since May 31, five types of productssports drinks, juices, teas, syrups and jams, and tablets and powdershave not been allowed in markets unless certified free of DEHP.

Food recalls were issued in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and more Asian and European countries. Deputy Department of Justice Deputy Minister Chen Shou-wang said his office has prosecuted 11 individuals in eight cases with charges of fraud and violation of Taiwans food safety laws, and is seeking imprisonment of up to 25 years for those responsible.

According to the DOH, any food within the five categories announced will be banned if a safety certificate is not provided, and the Health Department also will strengthen inspections to ensure food on the shelves are compliant with regulations. Any vendor and its suppliers who uses cloudy agent will be required to provide evidence of supplier or downstream companies with non-plasticizer-contaminated cloudy agent confirmed by the Department of Health (certificate of origin is required)" or Certification of laboratory testing of food additive with plasticizer recognized by the TFDA.

The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) also urged food manufacturers to proactively confirm raw materials used in their products.