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Taipei finds pesticide residue in 12 fresh produce items
Discover the latest on Taipei’s food safety: 12 out of 52 fresh produce items failed pesticide tests, including Thai basil and papaya. Fines for violations range from NT$60,000 to NT$200 million.2024/06/25 15:20 -
Crackdown on Polam Kopitiam after food poisoning outbreak
The food poisoning incident involving Malaysian restaurant Polam Kopitiam in Taipei escalates as health authorities order all branches to cease operations immediately due to violations of the Food Safety Act, including an unregistered establishment facing a potential NT$3 million fine. Customers who dined between March 17 and 24 are advised to seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms, with the case officially classified as food poisoning.2024/03/28 16:18 -
Celebrity chef’s sichuan chicken recalled for tainted dye
Renowned chef Cheng Yen-chi, known as "Chef Ah-Chi," faces a food safety crisis in Taiwan after his "Sichuan Chicken with Chili Oil" is found to contain carcinogenic Sudan dye. Chef Ah-Chi apologizes for the issue, vows stricter monitoring, and urges authorities to protect consumers. The scandal has led to the removal of affected products from shelves and refunds to customers, impacting other food items and the restaurant industry. Manufacturers are working to address the tainted ingredients and assist affected consumers promptly.2024/03/13 11:25 -
FamilyMart Taiwan sees fresh food sales jump 10% annually
FamilyMart, a leading convenience store chain in Taiwan, has experienced significant growth in its fresh food sales, with an annual increase of at least 10% over the past three years. In 2022 alone, revenue from fresh foods reached NT$25 billion, accounting for over 30% of the company’s total revenue. Huang Cheng-tien, FamilyMart’s Fresh Foods Operations Manager, considers fresh foods a crucial strategic asset and has launched branded products targeting various market segments and trending categories. The focused brands, such as ’uno pasta’ for Italian pasta and ’minimore’ for desserts, have yielded impressive results, with pasta sales growing by 20% annually and dessert sales in 2022 skyrocketing by over 40%. FamilyMart has also made significant efforts to cater to health-conscious consumers, implementing structural reforms since 2016 that encompass ingredients, equipment, packaging, and processes. These reforms have contributed to the success of products like the tuna onigiri, which saw a 19% sales growth in 2022. Additionally, FamilyMart has collaborated with renowned restaurants and chefs, including Din Tai Fung, resulting in the sale of over 20 million co-branded items. These collaborations aim to create differentiated products by incorporating key ingredients from partners, such as a spicy sauce by Din Tai Fung used in unique offerings like grilled rice balls and fried noodles. In the first half of this year, FamilyMart’s fresh food revenue grew by an impressive 20%. The company’s General Manager, Hsueh Tung-tu, strives to attract more customers by offering unique products, following the motto "What others don’t have, we have; what others have, we excel in."2023/12/20 15:32 -
FDA finds food safety issues at border inspection
Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that several food items failed safety standards at border inspection. These include American cherries, Chinese chili powder and Thai mangosteen.2023/09/12 15:05