Amendments to the Act Governing Food Sanitation passed final reading at the ROC Legislature Jan. 28, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring food safety, enhancing consumer confidence and maintaining market order.
“The latest changes will greatly improve Taiwan’s legal framework for food sanitation management, while promoting consumer protection and protecting public health,” an official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare said.
“By implementing improved inspection mechanisms and imposing stricter punishments on violators, the amended law will deter firms from manufacturing adulterated food products.”
The revision is in response to series of incidents last year in which food products containing illegal additives caused public concern threatened to put the country’s food exports at risk.
According to the MOHW, the amendments also cover regulations on food products containing genetically modified materials, as well as providing better incentives and protections for whistleblowers.
While no changes are made to rules on food containing composite additives, the ministry said it will conduct more on-site inspections, strengthen border management procedures and work with relevant agencies to establish an origins management system.
The revisions also clear the way for the MOHW to set up a food safety protection fund to assist with consumer food safety litigation. The fund will be partially financed through fines revenue and government budgets. (SFC-JSM)
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