Taiwan Enforces Stricter Rules on Import of Japanese Food

On 15 May, Taiwan officially implemented new documentation requirements for import of Japanese food as announced in April (see ChemLinked news 15 Apr 2015).

As per TFDA notices issued in April, all imported Japanese food shall be attached with certificates of origin. In addition certain categories of foods from specific geographic origins should also have a radiation-free certificate attached including:

• Aquatic products from Miyagi, Iwate, Tokyo and Ehime;

• Tea products from Tokyo, Shizuoka, Aichi and Osaka;

• Dairy products, infant and baby food, candy, biscuits and cereal products from Miyagi, Saitama and Tokyo.

As of the 19th of May, a total of 62 batches of Japanese food have gone through custom inspections, two of which failed the documentary check due to lack of certificate of origin.

Despite Japanese government’s attempt to lobby against the implementation of the new policy, the new rules have entered into effect as was originally scheduled. Sources have suggested that a talk between the two governments concerning the safety of Japanese foods has come to an unpleasant ending.