Taiwan: Nearly 10 percent of local produce fails latest pesticide test

Nearly 10 percent of fruits and vegetables examined in a recent survey by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were found to have excessive levels of pesticide residues or used unapproved pesticides, a result consistent with previous checks. According to results of the survey released Monday by the FDA under the Department of Health (DOH), 8 out of 90 agricultural product samples collected in different parts of the country failed the test, which was done in July. The FDA conducts the check every month to monitor the safety of produce sold in Taiwan's traditional markets and supermarkets. Items that failed the spot check were found to either contain pesticide residues that were slightly higher than the legally allowed limit or to have used pesticides not allowed by the Council of Agriculture (COA), said Chen Hwi-chang, acting section chief for food and drug inspection at the FDA's Southern Center for Regional Administration.

The sub-standard items were leaf lettuce, cucumber, bitter gourd, lemons and papayas. "But if eaten, these products will not pose a threat to consumers' health," Chen said. After being notified of the result, the COA and local health agencies took follow-up measures to track the sources of the products failing the test, Chen added. In the previous checks conducted recently, 90.4 percent, 93.8 percent and 91.1 percent of the items tested met national standards for pesticide residues. To ensure food safety, the FDA encourages the public to purchase certified products, such as those with a CAS logo.

Source: focustaiwan.tw