China News Service, Taipei, February 5 (Xinhua) -- As the Lunar New Year approaches, Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taiwan Sugar)'s "Anxin Dolphin" plum blossom meat slices were found to contain clenbuterol, which continues to spread, triggering concerns about food safety on the island. The source of clenbuterol has not yet been clarified. Public opinion pointed out that there are major loopholes in food inspection and urged the authorities to trace the source as soon as possible.
According to reports from Taiwanese media such as China Times News Network and Lianhe News Network, the Taichung City Government detected banned clenbuterol "Sibuterol" in Taiwan Sugar Plum Blossom Pork Slices in January. The results of 6 tests were all positive. The relevant information was announced recently. Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration stated that all the batches of pork involved have been sold, totaling 2,730 packages and 819 kilograms. At present, various places are still recalling and removing them from shelves, and it is feared that more than 90% of them have been eaten. Some veterinarians said that "Sibuterol" is nearly a thousand times more toxic than the "ractopamine" in the American "Lai Pig".
Taiwan Sugar is a local enterprise under the Economic Affairs Department of the Taiwan authorities and the largest pig raising enterprise in Taiwan. The "Anxin Dolphin" in question this time is said to come from a processing plant with Taiwan's Good Agricultural Products Label (CAS) certification, and the source feed, pigs and butchery processes have all been checked. Zeng Zhichao, deputy secretary-general of the Taiwan Chinese Economic and Financial Association, wrote to Taiwan's China Times on the 5th, pointing out that if there are problems with products under such strict review standards by public entities, it means that there are major loopholes in Taiwan's food safety inspection.
He urged the authorities to find out the source of clenbuterol as soon as possible and thoroughly improve it. Otherwise, it will not only affect consumers' willingness to buy, but also threaten Taiwan's hard-fought pork industry and "smash" the pork export plan.
After the incident, Taiwan Sugar Company claimed that clenbuterol was contaminated during slaughtering by Xingong Company, which was responsible for processing. Xingong Company claimed that Taiwan Sugar caused it during breeding. Li Wuzhong, a Taiwanese scholar who is engaged in agricultural and fishery economics research, said that both sides are talking about different things and passing the blame to each other. How can consumers feel at ease?
This incident also triggered public discussion on the credibility of the Taiwan authorities. Fu Kunqi, the chief convener of the Kuomintang caucus of Taiwan's legislative body, pointed out that the DPP authorities once proposed the "Five Rings for Food Safety" to strengthen food safety and hygiene protection, but now they have opened up the import of "Lai pig" and Brazilian "poisonous eggs". Their food safety policies are completely defeated. , the ruling authorities have no credibility at all.
The Taiwan People's Party caucus also issued a statement saying that last year's US pig "origin washing" incident caused many people to turn to local pork, but now they can't even eat the "safe dolphin" produced by public units. Relevant departments are urged to review the pork production control mechanism, clarify responsibilities as early as possible, and ensure that food safety concerns are eliminated, so that the public can eat with peace of mind and health. (over)