Up to 70 percent of milk and dairy products sold in Taiwan contain residues of chemicals and drugs used for livestock animals, which can be harmful to humans, according to an investigative report from the Chinese-language Business Weekly published today.
The contaminated products were produced by some of the nation’s leading dairy companies, such as Uni-President, Wei Chuan, Kuang Chuan and Taiwan Bifido.
Chemical residues ranged from antibiotics, plasticizers and anti-depressants to contraceptives, estrogen compounds and other pharmaceuticals.
Business Weekly said it commissioned Chen Liang-yu (陳良宇), a professor of biotechnology at Ming Chuan University in Taipei, to undertake analysis studies of dairy products.
Chen’s analysis presented four major findings:
‧ Antibiotics: All samples were found to contain metabolite of the antibiotic pyrimido Azepine.
‧ Plasticizers: All samples were found to contain the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate. The following had contaminants from two or more plasticizers: Ruisui Brand Chocolate Flavored Milk from Uni-President, Papaya Milk from Wei Chuan, Good Friend Cocoa Milk from Taiwan Bifido and High Quality Pure Milk from Kuang Chuan.
‧ Estrogen and Contraceptives: Ruisui Brand Chocolate Flavored Milk from Uni-President was found to contain tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone, a metabolite of estrogen and contraceptive drugs. Homogenized whole milk from Kuang Chuan contained hydroxy-norgestrel-methyloxime, another metabolite.
‧ Tranquilizers and Anti--Depressants: Good Friend Cocoa Milk from Taiwan Bifido contained clomipramine, a metablite of tranquilizer and anti-depressant drugs. The Dr Milker Whole Milk brand from Uni-President contained dehydroxyl-vincadine, another metabolite from this class of drugs.
Officials at the Food and Drug Administration said as this was a report from the private sector, local health bureaus would now monitor dairy products and send samples for analysis.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed “shock and regret” over a statement issued by his wife without his consent, and rejected her assertion that his eldest sister, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), would manage his medical care or act as his spokesperson amid an ongoing embezzlement probe into his foundation. Ma Ying-jeou in a statement said he was shocked by a statement by his wife, Chou Mei-ching (周美青), regarding his affairs. Ma Yi-nan “must not” be in charge of his healthcare and other personal affairs, nor can she be allowed to represent the Ma family, the former president said. He said he was also
RSS