Beef labeling inspection shows the most problems to be corrected in food and beverage establishments

The Department of Health has fully mobilized all local health bureaus to implement a "Mandatory Labeling Enhanced Inspection Program" for packaged foods, bulk foods, and direct-supply catering establishments containing beef. As of the morning of the 26th, a total of 12,302 inspections have been conducted, and 78 businesses have been asked to make corrections within a specified period of time, with the highest number of inspections at 71 catering establishments, most of which were due to unclear proof of source documents.

The Department of Health has fully mobilized all local health bureaus to conduct mandatory labeling inspections on packaged foods, bulk foods and direct catering establishments containing beef. The majority of those that need to make corrections are catering establishments, mainly because they did not provide clear proof of origin. (Photography by Zhang Yawen)

Pan Zhikuan, director of the regional management center of the Department of Health, said that the inspection and guidance on the labeling of the origin of beef raw materials has a pass rate of 99%, including 1,300 inspections of packaged food, all of which complied with the regulations. To date, a total of 7 bulk food companies and 71 direct supply catering establishments have been required to correct the situation within a time limit because they have not correctly labeled the origin of the beef raw materials or have no relevant supporting documents.

Pan Zhikuan pointed out that food supply establishments generally have labeling in place, but when health officials ask for proof of origin, they may not be able to produce it, so the accuracy of the labeling cannot be ensured. This is the main reason why many businesses have yet to make corrections.

The Department of Health emphasized that in the future, if packaged or bulk food or food directly supplied to catering establishments is found not to be labeled in accordance with regulations, they will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000 for violating Article 17 of the Food Sanitation Management Act.