Taiwan: Companies Manufacturing Food Products Containing Toxic Diethylhexyl Phthalate
June 23rd, 2011Profits.
Via: Herald Sun:
CHINA and South Korea have both banned imports of certain food and drinks from Taiwan in a fast-expanding regional scare over contamination with a chemical usually used in plastics.
The Philippines and Hong Kong have also limited imports or sales of foodstuffs from the export-dependent island after the alarm was raised over the chemical DEHP, which can cause hormone malfunctions in children.
The Taiwanese government yesterday proposed dramatically tougher penalties for lacing food items with banned substances, planning a 33-fold increase in the maximum fine in a bid to prevent tainted foods being sold.
“The food scandal is a shame to Taiwan (which has) long been proud of its food safety management,” said Chiu Yi, a politician with the ruling Kuomintang party.
He said he believed the new fines would be an effective deterrent.
Beijing banned imports of Taiwan-made sports drinks, fruit juices and jams that Taipei had said could contain excessive DEHP, and published a list of companies from the island whose imports were banned.
Research Credit: DJC
