As a requirement for food companies with more than NT$30 million (US$917,993) in capital to undergo examinations by third-party certification bodies is to go into effect in July, the Food and Drug Administration said it was considering lowering the threshold to companies with more than NT$10 million in capital.
The government in February 2014 established a three-tier quality control mechanism: random government inspections; examinations by third-party certification bodies; and self-management by companies.
Division of Risk Management Director Lee Ming-hsin (李明鑫) said the agency has already announced that manufacturers of canned foods, food additives, nutritional supplements or dairy products must acquire certification, with about 460 companies having done so.
Starting on July 1, companies with more than NT$30 million in capital that manufacture oil for human consumption, flour, starch, salt, sugar or soy sauce would also be required to obtain certifications, he said, adding that from July 31 next year, companies that produce meat and seafood products would also need certification.
To ensure credibility, when companies apply for examinations, an agency-approved third-party certification body is to be assigned at random, Division of Risk Management official Lue Tsai-luen (呂在綸) said.
Food companies would be required to pay for the cost of the examination and certification is only to be valid for two years, he said.
Due to rumors that several companies are reducing their capital to circumvent the new requirements, the agency is considering lowering the threshold to companies with more than NT$10 million in capital, Lue said.
Companies that fail to obtain certification from third-party certification bodies face fines of up to NT$3 million, a temporary halt of operations, or even permanent termination of business.
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