Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday said that, if elected, she promises to put 10 times the current government effort into inspections of food markets and increase funding for ensuring improved food safety.
Citing a series of food scandals in the past few years, Tsai promised to train more researchers on food safety, promote inspection technologies and revise food safety laws to make sure that all food sold is safe for consumption.
“There is a saying in Taiwanese that: ‘You are as majestic as an emperor when you eat,’ meaning that there is nothing more important than eating. However, after numerous food safety scandals, everybody in the nation eats with fear,” Tsai told a news conference at DPP headquarters in Taipei.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
“Making sure that food is safe for consumption is a fundamental responsibility of the government, which should address the issue more actively, so that people can be free of fear when they sit at the dining table,” she said.
As part of her food safety policy reform, Tsai said that she would seek to create an institute to manage and track all harmful substances from the beginning of the manufacturing process, to make sure that such substances were not present in food.
She also vowed to implement a production system that would clearly and transparently record every step in a food item’s production and manufacturing process for consumers to refer to whenever they choose to.
“I would also put in 10 times the effort into inspections on the food market, allocate a bigger budget for the training of high-end food analysts, and upgrade inspection techniques and capacities,” Tsai said.
“Food safety laws should be revised to place greater responsibility on producers to pressure them into stricter self-management,” she added.
She said that punishment is not her purpose, adding that the government should put more effort into educating smaller food manufacturers to comply with laws and higher standards.
“Some people think that promoting food safety might effect food companies’ survival, as costs might go up. However, ensuring food safety means upgrading the food industry,” Tsai said.
“For more colorful products, stronger tastes, or higher profits, a lot of manufacturers are producing food in a low-cost way and it is time for us to bid farewell to that age,” she added.
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