From July 31, retail chain stores that have more than three outlets and capital exceeding NT$30 million (US$907,276) must conduct regular mandatory examinations of 17 types of food products, as part of a new program to enhance food safety, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Wednesday.
FDA Division of Food Safety official Hsu Chao-kai (許朝凱) said that new food safety regulations mandate that retailers — including hypermarkets and convenience stores — increase self-monitoring and examinations of food products before they are placed on the shelves.
Orange daylily, preserved fruit and dried radish sold at these stores must be examined for artificial food additives, such as sulfur dioxide or saccharin, Hsu said.
Ready-to-eat food products or pre-cut fruits and vegetables must be tested for Escherichia coli bacteria and other harmful micro-organisms, Hsu said.
Retailers should test each batch of food products at least every six months, while the FDA would continue to conduct random inspections, Hsu added.
FDA Director-General Chiang Yu-mei (姜郁美) said the 17 products selected for testing were those that were found to be problematic in the past. They include edible fat and oil, processed meat, dairy products, seafood products, food additives, specific nutrients, soy bean, corn, wheat, flour, starch, salt, sugar, soy sauce, tea and tea beverages.
The agency estimates that more than 12,000 stores will be affected by the new regulation.
Minister of Health and Welfare Chiang Been-huang (蔣丙煌) said that retailers should be held responsible for the quality of food products they sell by conducting thorough checks.
“If you [retailers] want to make money, then you have to assume responsibility,” Chiang said. “Do not act like you are the victim whenever there is a food scandal.”
Hsu said that retailers and food manufacturers that fail to comply with the government’s food safety monitoring plan and conduct regular tests may be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$3 million if they do not make improvements within a given period.
Chiang added that the ministry and the FDA have drafted a “Food Safety Policy White Paper,” made improvements to the “Food and Drug Combat Information Center” and instituted a cloud application called “Food Cloud” for food traceability, hoping to reinforce the nation’s food safety management system and safeguard public health.
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