Another Toxic Vegetable Alert! Pesticide超标 Found in '3 Popular Taiwanese Greens,' 7,500 kg Destroyed – Full List of Violators Revealed

To strictly safeguard food safety in the Greater Taipei area, the Taipei City Market Administration announced yesterday (the 12th) the results of pesticide residue monitoring conducted by the Taipei Agricultural Products Company (TAPC) at wholesale markets for July 2026.

A total of 1,260 vegetable and fruit samples were tested, with 1,183 meeting safety standards. However, 77 samples were found to violate regulations, primarily involving bok choy, chili peppers, and string beans. All non-compliant goods have been intercepted and completely destroyed, amounting to a total weight of 7,557 kilograms, successfully preventing pesticide-exceeding agricultural products from entering the market.

The First and Second Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Markets in Taipei are operated and managed by TAPC under commission from the city government. Each day, before auctioning begins, pesticide residue testing is completed and results are determined. If any sample fails inspection, TAPC immediately halts trading of that batch and suspends all other same-category produce from the supplier on that day. Trading may only resume after re-sampling and confirmation of compliance; otherwise, the entire lot is scrapped and destroyed.

Additionally, TAPC enforces supply suspension penalties on violating suppliers according to the 'Wholesale Market Supplier Registration and Management Guidelines.' Currently, the city government subsidizes TAPC’s purchase of testing consumables, enabling an estimated annual testing capacity of up to 13,000 samples. Test data is also fed back to agricultural authorities and local county/city governments to guide farmers in proper pesticide use, ensuring food safety at the source.

Amid scorching summer heat, loofah offers a refreshing seasonal treat. Young loofah has a cool, crisp texture and pairs well with clams or light stir-fries—ideal dishes for beating the summer heat and reducing internal fire. Mature, dried loofah fibers can be processed into natural scrubbing pads that effectively remove grease without damaging cookware, making them eco-friendly and durable.

Moreover, 'loofah water' collected during harvest is a beloved natural moisturizer, known for soothing sun-exposed skin in summer. Loofah serves multiple roles—from kitchen ingredient and household cleaner to daily skincare—demonstrating full utilization of resources and promoting sustainable living.

The full list of non-compliant items from the July 2026 testing is available separately.