An Executive Yuan investigation into the probability of cases like cimbuterol-contaminated meat that was found in Taichung being widespread yesterday concluded that there is minimal risk to the agriculture sector, hog raising, butchering or distribution.
However, the report questioned the accuracy of the Taichung City Government’s test results.
Experts said that the lab’s vault was not properly locked and that the specimen was frozen and thawed three times before being examined.
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
They also said that since there was blood on the specimen, it is likely that the packaging of the Taiwan Sugar (Taisugar) product had been damaged before it was opened.
The lab took three samples and conducted 22 repeated tests, which is 10 times more than required and exceeds the standard margin of error, making the results questionable, they added.
The test results showed varying and imbalanced concentrations of cimbuterol in the samples, making them even more questionable, experts said.
After the initial discovery of cimbuterol in packaged pork collar butt last month, the Executive Yuan launched inspections of 921 meat product samples nationwide, with none showing traces of the beta-agonist.
Government data showed that four companies imported 72 batches of cimbuterol over the past two years, but the substance went to 24 different labs, with none going into the agriculture sector or food supply chain.
Separately, Taichung Health Bureau Director Tseng Tzu-chan (曾梓展) told the Taichung City Council that the Executive Yuan’s report was irrelevant.
Tseng said the bureau’s tests were fully compliant with procedural regulations and that the lab was not contaminated.
In response to Taichung City Councilor Wu Chiung-hua’s (吳瓊華) questions, Tseng said that under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation (食品安全衛生管理法), the safe of a laboratory should only be locked if a specimen is suspected to contain materials that are toxic to the environment.
Regarding the Executive Yuan’s report of blood on the specimen, Tseng said that blood seepage is normal when meat products are thawed.
Sample testing was conducted in batches, and it is expected that the specimen was not refrigerated between tests, Tseng said, adding that all 22 tests the bureau conducted returned positive for cimbuterol.
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