Preventing Substandard Stainless Steel Tableware, Taichung City Inspects 177 Items, All Compliant

Central News Agency, Taichung, May 26. Amid online rumors that substandard industrial-grade stainless steel tableware from China has entered the Taiwan market, the Taichung City Economic Development Bureau announced today that it conducted spot checks on stainless steel tableware at six retailers in May. A total of 177 items across 20 product categories were inspected, and all were found to be in compliance with the Commodity Labeling Act. Media reports recently cited a Chinese-born influencer claiming that industrial-grade stainless steel tableware from China was imported in bulk to Taiwan, competing on price and being sold as eco-friendly tableware in night markets and traditional markets. The Economic Development Bureau explained in a press release that the inspection focused on stainless steel tableware without plastic contact surfaces, strictly verifying compliance with labeling requirements, including product name, manufacturer/importer details, origin, main ingredients, net weight, capacity, quantity, and manufacturing date. The bureau stated that items sold at stores including RT-Mart, Carrefour, Xiaobei Department Store, and Nitori were all compliant. The bureau warned businesses to ensure complete labeling, noting that failure to correct deficiencies can result in fines ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 TWD, with repeat offenses subject to further penalties. Furthermore, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection has set national standards for food-grade stainless steel; false ingredient labeling can lead to fines of 30,000 to 300,000 TWD.