Heavy metals found in goji berries; Control Yuan criticizes FDA for insufficient oversight

CNA, Taipei, May 31. The Consumer Protection Association sampled 30 goji berry products, all of which tested positive for heavy metals. Control Yuan members stated today that the FDA had carelessly cited data from an online forum to declare the products safe without conducting follow-up inspections. They also pointed out that current regulations only set heavy metal limits for fresh goji berries, making it difficult to regulate dried products. Control Yuan members Tian Chiu-chin and Tsai Chung-yi criticized the FDA for using information from a general public agricultural knowledge website as a basis for risk communication. They further noted that 100,000 kg of goji berries were imported as "animal feed," bypassing food safety inspections, and urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare to demand a review of the FDA's practices.