Healthy food is not necessarily "healthy"! Taiwan wants to ban "healthy" food to avoid misunderstanding by consumers
[Global Times Comprehensive Report] In order to attract people to buy, many foods use the word "health" to advertise that products are good for health. To this end, Taiwan’s “Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare” announced on the 4th that, except for licensed health foods, other foods sold must not be branded as “healthy” to avoid consumer misunderstanding.
"Healthy biscuits" and "healthy juices" are common products in Taiwan that advertise healthy in their product names. According to the definition of the "Health Food Management Law" on the island, "health food" refers to foods that have specific health effects and have substantial scientific evidence, and are not medically effective in curing or correcting human diseases. "Food and Drug Administration" official Chen Yuxuan said that "healthy food" has become a legal term, while products with the words "healthy meat floss" or "healthy biscuits" that are common on the market may not necessarily pass the review. "The Food and Drug Administration" Food Section Chief Li Wanzhen said that the new regulations are expected to be implemented on July 1, 2022, and those who violate the regulations on food products will be fined NT$40,000 to NT$4 million and will be recalled and corrected within a time limit.
In Taiwan, the real "health food" is the one with the "Little Green Man" mark on the box. After the product has submitted an application to the "Ministry of Health and Welfare," it will be reviewed and evaluated for its safety and scientifically proven efficacy, and a health food license will be obtained after passing. As of March 2019, there are more than 400 health foods approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Foods like "health-oriented soda crackers" that have the word "healthy" on their product names are not necessarily healthy foods. (Zhang Ruo)