To protect the rights and interests of consumers, the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) of the Executive Yuan purchased a total of 45 samples of jams, spreads, shacha sauces, and cheeses in November 2023 for ethylene oxide examination and food labeling inspection. No ethylene oxide was detected during the examinations, and all products were found to be in compliance with regulations. As for the results of the food labeling inspection, 6 items did not meet the regulations, and the health authorities have imposed penalties in accordance with the law while also requiring the manufacturers to complete improvements.
These inspections have been conducted due to the discovery of residual pesticide ethylene oxide in the “Formaggio Marinated Mozzarella" and Sonoma brand “Country Selection” cheeses imported by Costco Wholesale Taiwan, Inc. in 2023 following random inspections by the health authorities. Ethylene oxide is classified as a primary carcinogen that has not currently been approved for pesticide use in Taiwan, nor has ethylene oxide gas been approved for food disinfection. Therefore, to ensure food safety for the general public, in November 2023 the DCP proceeded to purchase a total of 45 samples of the abovementioned food products from physical stores in Taipei City, Taichung City, Kaohsiung City, and Yilan County to conduct ethylene oxide examinations, and instructed the local health authorities to carry out food labeling inspections. The relevant examination and labeling inspection results are as follows:
I.Ethylene oxide examination: None were detected, and all products were in compliance with regulations.
II.Food labeling inspection: 6 items did not meet the regulations, and the main deficiencies were as follows:
(I)Label features fonts smaller than 2 mm: 5 items failed to meet the requirements.
(II)Responsible manufacturer’s contact number not indicated on label: 1 item failed to meet the requirements.
(III)Expiration date not indicated on label: 1 item failed to meet the requirements.
(IV)Net weight label and nutrition facts label values not consistent with actual contents: 1 item failed to meet the requirements.
Regarding food labeling not in compliance with regulations, the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare has asked local health authorities to impose fines totaling NT$160,000 in accordance with the law and require the violating manufacturers to complete improvements.
The DCP hereby urges the public to pay attention to whether labels hold complete information, including product name, names of contents and food additives, manufacturer name and contact information, place of origin, expiration date and nutritional information, etc., when making purchases to protect their own rights and interests.