The fresh competition cut into Taisugar's previous domination of the market, and also enlarged the overall market, said Andy Feng (
There is no solid scientific proof currently available that would enable the government to demand that manufacturers print a warning regarding gout sufferers and there are various causes of gout, including a person's eating habits, said Hsieh Ting-hung (謝定宏), deputy director of the Food Safety Bureau at the Department of Health.
However, if food producers are aware that certain ingredients in one of their products might be a potential threat to certain people, they should consider offering appropriate, if not explicit, warnings in accordance with the regulations stipulated in the Consumer Protection Law (消費者保護法), Hsieh said.
Seeking scientific endorsement, Taisugar has hired a research institute to examine whether its clam product could pose a potential health risk to certain groups of people, according to Alex Chen (陳啟祥), vice chief executive officer of Taisugar's marketing business.
The result would be known by early April, he added.
Before any scientific results are produced, those with gout, high blood pressure and heart disease should be extremely cautious about what they eat and drink, said Lee Cherh-yu (李哲瑜), an associate professor of restaurant management at the Technology and Science Institute of Northern Taiwan.
Health drinks themselves are not harmful, but problems can be caused when they are combined with people's existing bad eating habits, she said.
"I don't think it's necessary to include a warning statement because of one or two isolated cases, as that would instead distort the message on correct eating habits and scare away possible buyers. Demanding that these products carry clear nutritional facts for customers' reference would be the best way to go," she suggested.
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