Starting Next Month 1, 'One Strike Out Policy' for Food Products
Taiwan has decided to suspend imports of Korean chili powder from three Korean manufacturers, citing excessive residual pesticides detected in the Korean chili powder. The import suspension period is reported to be over one month.
On the 2nd, Yonhap News quoted Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) reporting that Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) found that 13 out of 59 shipments of Korean chili powder imported between December 24, 2023, and last month’s 24th did not meet the standards.
On that day, Lin Jinfu, Deputy Director of the TFDA, stated, "We requested explanations from the Korean side regarding the frequent violations and demanded corrective actions by the deadline of the 30th of last month, but there has been no response as of today."
Earlier, in February, carcinogens and pesticide components were found in Chinese chili powder, prompting the Taiwanese government to initiate recalls. At that time, Sudan dye was detected in Chinese chili powder, and chloromequat, a pesticide component, was found in another chili powder sample.
In response, the TFDA emphasized that if any importer or manufacturer of food products imported into Taiwan violates regulations even once, import bans will be immediately enforced. They announced the implementation of a "one strike out" policy, which means that if harmful substances are detected in food, an immediate ban will be imposed. At that time, Deputy Director Lin of the TFDA stated that anyone who adds toxic substances or foreign materials to food without approval from the central competent authority will be held criminally responsible.
Taiwanese authorities plan to conduct tests for Sudan dye and residual pesticides on all imported chili powder until March 5 of next year.
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