TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei City Department of Health (台北市衛生局) released the latest pesticide residue test results for fresh produce on Friday (Nov. 1), revealing that 18 out of 50 sampled products did not meet regulations. The results translate to a detection rate of 36%.
The department highlighted cilantro as the most problematic. Four samples, including those from Huannan Market (環南市場) and a well-known supermarket chain, exceeded limits with nine types of pesticides, such as dimethomorph, diaconal, and pyrimethanil.
In addition to cilantro, the department found pesticide residues exceeding permissible levels in three samples of green onions, two each of bok choy, celery, and white radish, and one each of basil, rapeseed, cucumber, snow peas, and chili peppers. The number of pesticide types detected in these high-risk produce items ranged from one to nine.
The health department warned that selling produce with excessive pesticide residues violates the "Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation" (食品安全衛生管理法), with fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$200 million. Vendors unable to account for the source of their produce face additional fines between NT$30,000 and NT$3 million.
The department urged vendors to manage their produce responsibly to ensure public safety. They emphasized the need for stricter controls at the source, advising enhanced guidance for farmers on correct pesticide use and implementing field monitoring to effectively reduce residue risks.
