TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) assured the public on Tuesday (May 6) that the government remains committed to safeguarding food safety. Authorities detected ractopamine in three batches of imported pork, but all levels were within permissible limits, allowing the products to pass inspection. Chiu emphasized the importance of scientific analysis and adherence to international standards when setting these limits.
Since 2012, the government has rigorously inspected U.S. beef imports, finding over 8,000 to 240,000 cases containing ractopamine, yet all within acceptable standards. When asked about removing origin labels from U.S. pork, Chiu said it will continue strict inspections based on scientific evidence, international standards, and market conditions.
Meanwhile, Taipei's Department of Health (台北市衛生局) launched a labeling verification and sampling project after discovering ractopamine in imported Australian pork. A recent test found 0.001 ppm of ractopamine in frozen pig trotters from Australia, well below the standard of 0.01 ppm, yet it raised public concern. From now until the end of May, the department plans to sample 20 pork items and verify 300 origin labels at traditional markets, restaurants, and chain outlets.
