Taiwan FDA uncovers U.S. pork mislabeling scandal

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed on Tuesday (Oct. 3) that the Taoyuan-based Hsin Hsing Frozen Food Co. Ltd. (新興冷凍食品有限公司) sold hotpot pork slices containing U.S. pork, while misleadingly labeling the source as solely Canadian.

The company stated that the questionable pork products were produced before Aug. 20, culminating in a sizable batch of 100,951 kilograms of mixed meat distributed to 80-90 downstream businesses.

The FDA will impose a fine ranging between NT＄40,000 to NT＄4 million against the company, according to the Food Safety Act.

A pending investigation will confirm whether the products have residues of ractopamine, a feed additive utilized in pig farming to promote lean muscle growth.

An elaborate hunt is underway to retrieve the mislabeled meat, considering most of it has already been sold to hotpot restaurants. Taoyuan City Department of Public Health and the FDA have promised an extensive continued inquiry into the matter.