Mandatory labeling of beef products to be implemented in batches starting from the 12th

American beef containing ractopamine is expected to be re-imported before the end of the month. The Department of Health completed the announcement of mandatory labeling today, the 6th. In the future, all foods containing beef must clearly indicate the country of origin of the beef ingredients on the outer packaging or through signs, signboards, menu notes, etc., so that consumers can identify them. Among them, "bulk foods" and "directly supplied to catering establishments" will be implemented from the 12th; "containerized or packaged foods" will be implemented from the 20th.

As for the "Animal Drug Residue Standard" that has been added to the safe allowable amount of ractopamine in beef at 10ppb, the notice period is relatively long, ending on August 29, so the Department of Health is still compiling the opinions collected and is expected to announce it as early as the end of this month, at which time the new standard of 10ppb will be adopted for border inspections.

In accordance with the latest food labeling regulations, starting from the 12th of this month, places that sell bulk foods containing beef (such as: general merchandise stores, hypermarkets, hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, grocery stores, traditional markets, etc.) and food places that directly supply meals containing beef (such as: restaurants, fast food restaurants, night markets, snack bars, food courts, etc.) must label the origin of the beef raw materials in accordance with regulations.

If bulk food is marked on the package mold, the length and width of a single font must not be less than 2 mm each. If a catering establishment uses menu markings, the length and width of a single font must not be less than 4 mm each. If the two are displayed in the form of billboards or other signs, the length and width of a single character must not be less than 2 cm each.

In addition, starting from the 20th of this month, the production of packaged foods containing beef (such as beef jerky, beef instant noodles, etc.) must also clearly indicate the country where the beef ingredients come from. The length and width of the single font of the label must not be less than 2 mm each.

The Department of Health emphasized that starting from the date of implementation of the regulations, it will fully mobilize the manpower of the health bureaus of all counties and cities to complete a three-phase carpet-style inspection of packaged, bulk foods, and directly supplied catering establishments. Failure to label in accordance with regulations may result in a fine of NT$30,000 to NT$150,000, and false labeling may result in a fine of NT$40,000 to NT$200,000.