(CNA, by reporter Yang Shu-Min, Taipei, 10th) The Taipei City Department of Health announced today that of 47 fresh fruit and vegetable samples inspected for pesticide residue in April, 5 failed to meet regulations, a non-compliance rate of 10.6%. The items included 2 samples of basil and 1 each of peas, Gynura, and cilantro. The products have been ordered to be removed from shelves, and the cases have been transferred to the source counties for legal enforcement.

A press release from the Department of Health explained that in April, it randomly sampled 47 fresh produce items from markets, retailers, supermarkets, hypermarkets, restaurants, and online vendors across the city. Tests found that two basil samples, along with one sample each of peas, Gynura, and cilantro—totaling 5 items—had between 1 to 4 types of pesticides exceeding the "Pesticide Residue Allowance Standards."

The department said that in addition to ordering the items to be taken down from where they were sampled, because they all originated from other counties, the cases have been transferred to the local health departments for legal action. According to the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, responsible businesses can be fined between NT$60,000 and NT$200 million; if the source cannot be traced, the vendors can be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$3 million.

Furthermore, the department said it has notified the Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corporation to suspend the violating farmers from supplying the related product codes for 10 days, in accordance with its inspection protocols for pesticide residue and additives in wholesale fruits and vegetables.

For a first offense, the case is recorded for increased inspection; a second offense results in a one-month supply suspension; a third offense leads to the revocation of the supplier's qualification for the non-compliant product, during which no deliveries under the same ID number and product code are allowed. Inspections of produce from the non-compliant supplier will also be intensified. (Editor: Chang Ming-Kun) 1150610

FACT BOX

  • Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
  • Category: 事件