One in four fruit and vegetable samples fail safety inspection in Taipei

A recent inspection by the Taipei Department of Health revealed that 25% of sampled fresh fruits and vegetables failed safety standards, with most violations linked to excessive pesticide residues. The May inspection involved 52 randomly collected samples from traditional markets, supermarkets, restaurants, and retail outlets.

According to Health Food and Drug Division Director Lin Kuan-chen, 13 items failed testing. These included garlic chive flowers, Thai basil, celery, green garlic, wax apple, cowpea, and mango. Most were flagged for pesticide levels above legal limits. Additionally, two durians were found to contain cadmium in excess of permissible safety thresholds.

All noncompliant items — except mangoes and durians — belonged to a high-risk category of agricultural products, identified by previous inspection data as more likely to contain harmful residues. These products are subject to more frequent testing.

Vendors were ordered to remove the affected produce, and local health departments have been alerted to the sources. The Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corp (TAPMC) was instructed to suspend supply of the failed items from the implicated farmers for 10 days. Repeat failures will trigger escalating penalties, including a one-month suspension or permanent disqualification from TAPMC supply chains.

source: taipeitimes.com

photo: allrecipes.com