Pesticide residues still an issue in Taiwan

The problem of pesticide residue on fresh produce in Taiwan has not been addressed since it was detected last year, an environmental group claimed this week, citing the results of its own recent tests.

Of 36 samples of fruit and vegetables taken from major wholesale chains, 20 were found to contain pesticide residues, which could cause health problems like infertility, said the Taipei office of Greenpeace.

In a random food test in February, toxic chemicals from pesticides were found on fresh produce such as star fruit, kumquat, grapefruit and Chinese cabbage at six supermarket chains, the group said.

Last December, the group found pesticide residue on 43 of the 58 items of fresh produce it tested. It said supermarkets were not doing enough to safeguard the health of consumers.

The recent tests results, said Greenpeace, are an indication that there has been very little improvement in the situation.

Among the pesticide residue found, two are listed by Taiwan's Council of Agriculture as highly hazardous, Greenpeace said.

Although most of the residue levels did not exceed permitted national limits the presence of more than pesticide could amount to an exceeded limit, hazardous to health, Greenpeace said.

In response, Far Eastern AMart, one of the retail stores from which the tainted samples were obtained, said it had removed the items from its shelves.

"We will do what we can as a wholesaler and will tighten inspections," said the company's PR manager Susan Yang.

Other supermarkets such as Carrefour and Pxmart said they are taking similar action, and will ask their suppliers to show pesticide test reports before the products could be put back on shelves.