Open up to American beef? Department of Health: Further discussion at international conferences in April and May

Regarding the issue of whether American beef containing trace amounts of ractopamine affects human health, the Department of Health said last night (24th) that it will invite international experts to hold an international seminar between April and May to expand the collection of international information, and emphasized that before there is a consensus in society, the domestic policy of not detecting ractopamine will remain unchanged, and strict controls will continue at the border and in the market.

Regarding whether American beef containing trace amounts of ractopamine should be allowed into the country, the Department of Health said it will invite international scholars to discuss the issue again.

Department of Health Director-General Chiu Wen-ta said that medicine is based on evidence. After a month of observation and in-depth understanding of the issue of whether ractopamine affects human health, many good suggestions have been provided by various parties. As opinions are still different, the Department of Health plans to hold an international seminar or symposium again with the Council of Agriculture and other relevant ministries and commissions between April and May, inviting domestic and foreign scholars, experts, and non-governmental groups such as consumers to participate in order to expand the collection of international information.

The Department of Health stated that if necessary, and once scholars and experts reach a consensus through discussion, it will also conduct studies on safety, pharmacokinetics, risk assessment, dietary surveys of the Chinese people, and other possible relevant influencing factors.