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Inflation prompts Formosa Chang’s latest price hike
Formosa Chang raises prices on popular menu items, citing rising costs. The braised pork rice bento now costs NT$85. The price hike reflects inflation and labor challenges.
2024/12/25 09:43
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Taiwan to cut tariffs on 17 items from Paraguay
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan approved a draft to exempt tariffs on 17 items from Paraguay, including pork and wheat flour, under a trade agreement. This aims to boost economic ties.
2024/11/21 21:00
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Taiwan aims to boost pork exports after swine fever win
Taiwan aims to expand its pork exports after being declared free from African swine fever by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Premier Cho Jung-tai announced efforts to enter markets in the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia, highlighting successful disease prevention and collaboration.
2024/11/01 17:42
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Taiwan’s CPTPP hopes hinge on U.S. election outcome
Taiwan faces challenges in joining the CPTPP if Trump wins the U.S. election, says Ma Ying-jeou Foundation director. Taiwan’s membership is crucial this year.
2024/10/28 11:18
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Surge in illegal meat imports as Dragon Boat Festival nears
Discover the rise in illegal meat imports in Taiwan as the Dragon Boat Festival nears, with a focus on the crackdown on zongzi and cured meats from abroad to protect local agriculture.
2024/05/27 14:37
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THSR bento serves up culinary delight
Discover the hidden culinary gem at Taiwan High Speed Rail Taichung Station’s railway bento outlet. Renovated in line with Taiwan Railway administration corporatization, the outlet offers sumptuous bento boxes that have garnered praise from locals and tourists. Experience the renowned flavor of the railway spare ribs bento and indulge in meticulously selected domestic pork rib chops with a unique marinade recipe. With a 18% increase in bento sales in 2023, the outlet sold over half a million boxes, making it a must-try dining destination for travelers.
2024/03/06 18:16
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Taiwan premier addresses cimbuterol pork concerns
Taipei Premier Chen Chien-jen addresses concerns over cimbuterol pork contamination and agricultural fund management in Taiwan. Results on the banned additive’s presence in pork expected in two days. Ministry of Health and Welfare to evaluate incident as food safety fears rise. NT$128.3 billion pig farming fund aimed at industry upgrades and environmental improvements. Future plans to sustain industry growth and enhance production efficiency discussed.
2024/03/05 16:37
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Taiwan clears domestic pork of Cimbuterol contamination
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan has announced that no detection of Cimbuterol, a feed additive used to promote leanness in animals, has been found in domestically-produced pork. This preliminary result dismisses concerns about the domestic pork supply being tainted with the substance. In the past, Taiwan Sugar Corporation’s pork slices were found to contain Cimbuterol, causing public concern. The Ministry of Agriculture has inspected 633 pre-market samples, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare has tested 73 post-market samples, with only one sample in Taichung city detecting Cimbuterol. The Health Ministry will strengthen random inspections for ractopamine in pork products and increase the number of annual inspections. The government will also enhance scrutiny of Cimbuterol imports and establish an expert group to assess the risk source at each link. The administration remains committed to ensuring the sanitary safety of pork products and monitoring related residues in various channels. Relevant authorities are dedicated to meeting Taiwan’s veterinary drug residue limits in foods.
2024/02/15 14:41
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Taichung pork tests positive for lean meat powder: FDA
Taiwan’s FDA confirms detection of Cimbuterol in pork sample from Taichung, with trace levels at 0.001ppm. Public urged not to worry as only one package tested positive and levels are very low. Further test results to be released after the holiday.
2024/02/07 11:39
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Officials clash over publicizing contaminated pork findings
Taipei’s Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare questions Taichung City’s decision to publicly announce the presence of Cimbuterol in local pork produce, insisting on a thorough investigation before disclosure. Taichung City’s Office of Food and Drug Safety found the banned substance in frozen pork slices produced by TaiSugar. The city health bureau defended the immediate announcement, citing the need to protect consumers and citizens’ health interests. The Executive Yuan expressed doubts about the test results, citing unusually low levels of Cimbuterol detected and suggesting further investigations. Taichung City’s Office of Food and Drug Safety informed Pingtung County’s Public Health Bureau and Tainan’s Public Health Bureau for further investigation. Organizations like the Executive Yuan’s Consumer Protection Committee and the Consumers’ Foundation tend to directly announce results when adulterated products are found, justifying Taichung’s disclosure. The office conducted three tests using two methodologies, with one result exceeding the quantitative limit. Only TaiSugar’s product tested positive for Cimbuterol. TaiSugar has called for a re-examination of the test results and sent the sample to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Food and Drug Administration for reinspection.
2024/02/06 14:27
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Taiwan FDA clears TaiSugar pork of cimbuterol concerns
Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that no traces of the drug Cimbuterol were found in TaiSugar’s frozen pork slice products. The Taichung City Government previously reported the presence of 0.002ppm of Cimbuterol in pork cuts manufactured by TaiSugar. However, the Ministry of Agriculture disputed this claim, stating that tests on both pig hair from the farm of origin and samples from the same batch of pork products were negative for beta-agonists. Wang Der-yuan, the FDA deputy director, emphasized that Cimbuterol is not approved for use in humans or animals and is primarily used as a standard sample in laboratories. The FDA conducted examinations of three samples of TaiSugar’s pork products using the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s protocol for testing veterinary drug residues, and the results showed no traces of Cimbuterol.
2024/02/05 13:18
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Ko highlights Taiwan’s challenges under DPP rule
Taipei mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je criticized the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) governance in Taiwan, pointing out various shortcomings such as shortages of land, water, electricity, talent, and labor during Lai Ching-te’s tenure as premier. Ko also claimed that Taiwan is currently lacking eggs, pork, vaccines, health screening resources, and even toilet paper. He further highlighted present issues including low birthrates, national security risks from an aging population, wage stagnation, inflation, slow industrial transformation, and high housing costs. Ko accused the government of not allocating special budgets for expenditures, resulting in an alleged surplus of NT$900 billion, and criticized their lack of transparency. He expressed disappointment with the DPP’s failure to address issues left by the Kuomintang (KMT) after eight years in power. Additionally, Ko mentioned that Taiwanese people generally feel insecure about the current status of the Taiwan Strait, which has caused societal discord, political factions, and cross-strait unrest.
2023/12/30 17:05
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New ASF virus variant detected in pork at Taiwan borders
The Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Research Institute has detected a new variant of the African swine fever (ASF) virus in pork products brought in by travelers from mainland China. This recombinant strain, known for its high pathogenicity and transmissibility, has caused severe outbreaks in China since its confirmation in 2022. This is the first time that two different strains of the virus, including the Genotype II strain prevalent in China since 2018 and its variant, have been found in illegally imported crispy intestine products. Testing has shown a rising trend in the positive detection rate for the ASF virus in illegally carried meat products from China. With the Lunar New Year approaching, citizens are urged not to bring any pork-containing products back to Taiwan, and the institute warns against illegal imports to protect Taiwan’s pig farming industry.
2023/12/18 21:30
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Hou Yu-ih proposes balanced U.S.-China diplomatic ties
Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih proposes a pro-US and China diplomatic stance, diverging from incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen’s approach. Hou criticizes Tsai’s foreign affairs and cross-strait policies, blaming the Tsai administration for Taiwan’s diplomatic isolation, failure to join regional economic bodies, and lack of communication with China. Hou emphasizes adhering to the Constitution of the Republic of China, affirming the nation’s sovereignty, and proposing a balanced stance between fostering solid ties with the United States and engaging with Mainland China. He also highlights the importance of Taiwan being prepared and realistic about its defense, suggesting that the island’s security should not rely solely on promises from the US but on its efforts and pragmatic relations with democratic allies. Political commentator Jaw Shau-kong fiercely criticizes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for being pro-US and anti-China, deeming Tsai’s policies on cross-strait relations and international diplomacy a complete failure. Jaw points out that despite Taiwan’s willingness to import American pork, the support has yet to translate into the U.S. helping with Taiwan’s entry into international organizations.
2023/12/07 19:13
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Quarantine key to protecting Taiwan’s pork: MOA
Learn about Taiwan’s pig farming industry, which involves over 3 million people and has an annual value exceeding NT$150 billion. Acting Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih emphasizes the importance of quarantine stations to protect the industry and prevent the spread of African swine fever. With over 5,000 pig farms operating in Taiwan, the industry contributes significantly to the economy. Chen’s comments came after the implementation of manual inspection stations at Taoyuan International Airport caused a decline in its Skytrax ranking.
2023/11/22 15:10
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Data shows rise in negative perceptions of ruling DPP
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has seen a rise in negative perceptions due to disputes over imported eggs, according to data from the Taiwan Public Opinion Research Center (TPOC). The center analyzed online opinions from January to October and found that the DPP received more negative than positive reactions. Public dissatisfaction with the DPP is linked to disputes over imported eggs, tensions in the Taiwan Strait, fraud and cybersecurity concerns, and energy shortages. Other factors include unsafe pedestrian traffic, residential justice issues, subsidies for private schools, unclear labeling of American pork, and disputes over flu vaccination. Despite the diminishing lead, DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te remains ahead with over 60 days until the 2024 general election. All political parties must intensify their efforts to win public support as the election approaches.
2023/11/13 11:37
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Ko disputes farmers’ claim of ex-agriculture chief’s success
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je criticized former Minister of Agriculture Chen Chi-chung for what he sees as ineffective agricultural policies. During a visit to Tainan, Ko asked farmers to name the most successful former Council of Agriculture chief, and some mentioned Chen. Disagreeing with this view, Ko criticized Chen’s subsidy policy, specifically the funding allocations for eggs and pork, which he believes have not brought about structural changes in Taiwan’s pig and poultry industries.
2023/10/29 17:52
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Taiwan tests pork for ractopamine after mislabeled incident
The Ministry of Health and Welfare Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discovered a food company in Taoyuan City that dishonestly labeled pork from the U.S. as being from Canada. The company claimed that an oversight in modifying shipping invoices led to the mistaken labeling.
2023/10/16 10:53
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Taichung restaurants bought 16K kg of mislabeled U.S. pork
The Health Bureau of Taichung City Government has revealed that over 80 restaurants in Taichung city have consumed approximately 16,000 kilograms of U.S. frozen pork. It is suspected that the majority of the meat has already been used up, as the restaurants’ stock is nearly depleted.
2023/10/06 16:29
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Premier cracks down on incorrect labeling of pork imports
Taiwan Premier Chen Chien-jen warns of severe penalties for those who breach regulations regarding the labeling of imported pork. He emphasizes that a joint effort between the central government and local authorities has found no traces of ractopamine in over 20,000 pork imports.
2023/10/06 14:20
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Tasty pork belly buns make splash in Taiwan despite typhoon
Discover how Taipei residents braved Typhoon Koinu to enjoy London’s popular pork belly bun pop-up. Learn about the secret to its success and its limited 19-day offering. Explore the unique fusion of traditional Taiwanese flavors and Western tastes with U.S. steak patties and adorable packaging.
2023/10/05 21:08
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No ractopamine pork in Taiwan, says Taiwan’s FDA
FDA Deputy Director confirms no ractopamine pork in Taiwan. All imported pork inspected at borders has passed without ractopamine detection. No incidents of ractopamine pork were found in over 12,000 inspections as two companies will face penalties for mislabeling imported meats.
2023/10/05 21:02
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Taiwan FDA uncovers U.S. pork mislabeling scandal
The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration has discovered that Hsin Hsing Frozen Food Co. Ltd. in Taoyuan has been selling hotpot pork slices labeled as Canadian but actually contain U.S. pork.
2023/10/04 19:50
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Taiwan faces record-low pig farm numbers and pork production
In recent years, Taiwan’s pork farming industry has experienced a significant decline, primarily attributed to a decrease in domestic hog farmers, reduced pork production, higher costs of raising pigs, and a government decision to subsidize imported pork from May to September in 2023.
2023/08/03 10:18
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Surging pork prices cast shadow over Taiwan’s holiday treat
The recent rising pork prices in Taiwan is expected to place a damper on the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival celebrations.
2023/04/20 16:23