The Consumers' Foundation urges all sectors to sign contracts to prevent the consumption of Clenbuterol

The Legislative Yuan's extraordinary session yesterday passed the third reading of some revised provisions of the Food Sanitation Management Act on the 25th. In the future, the import of American beef with ractopamine that meets the safety allowable amount will be allowed, and mandatory labeling of the origin of meat will be required. In response to this, consumer protection groups remind consumers that they can choose meat that does not contain ractopamine through labeling; as for group meals, it is recommended to conclude a contract to require food suppliers to provide meals that do not contain ractopamine.

The Ministry of Education stated that the nutritious lunches for primary and secondary schools will maintain the regulation of zero detection of clenbuterol, and require businesses to provide meat that complies with the CAS mark.

According to the newly revised Esophageal Law, the import of beef containing ractopamine that meets the safety tolerance standards will be allowed in the future, and the packaging of imported meat must clearly indicate the origin. Therefore, if ordinary consumers do not want to eat American beef containing ractopamine or meat from other origins, they can judge the origin from the external labels and decide whether to buy it.

In addition, Su Jinxia, ​​chairman of the Consumer Protection and Educational Foundation of the Republic of China, said that many people are unable to freely exercise their right to choose their diet due to group meals, especially schoolchildren, pregnant women, the elderly, and patients with cardiovascular diseases who are more vulnerable to the threat of clenbuterol than the average person. At this time, you can use the relevant units such as schools, hospitals, confinement centers, nursing homes, etc. to sign contracts to regulate the business operators and require them to provide meat that does not contain clenbuterol. She pointed out that a contract is a legal act and is binding.

Among all types of group meals, the part about schoolchildren's meals is what parents are most concerned about. The Ministry of Education pointed out that the current bidding contracts for nutritious lunches for primary and secondary schools in various counties and cities clearly stipulate that businesses must use meat with the CAS mark, and regardless of whether it is pork or beef, the requirement of zero detection of clenbuterol must be maintained.

However, if the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, modifies the CAS mark standards in the future, Wang Junquan, director-general of the Ministry of Education's Sports Department, said that the Ministry of Education will respect it, but in principle it will still "not encourage" the use of meat containing clenbuterol in nutritious lunches.