Takehome:
- The standard for contaminants and toxins in foods has been drafted, integrating all the existing stipulations on heavy metals, fungal toxins as well as other contaminants and toxins in foods.
On Jul. 4, 2016, Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) preannounced the establishment of “Hygienic Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods”, which integrates all the existing stipulations on heavy metals, fungal toxins as well as other contaminants and toxins in foods. This draft regulation will be open for public consultation for 60 days after its announcement.
Compared to the previous regulatory system the limitations on the following items have been newly added:
Heavy metals:
Name of heavy metal |
Food category |
Inorganic arsenic |
Cereals and aquatic products |
Lead and cadmium |
Livestock and poultry |
Lead |
Honey |
Lead and mercury |
Edible oils and fats originated from marine organisms |
Lead and cadmium |
Foods for infants and young children |
Fungal toxins:
The limitation of aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1 and B2, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in foods with relatively high risk have been prescribed.
Other contaminants and toxins:
The limitation of phytotoxin including PAHs, cyanic acid, gossypol and total glycoalkaloids/ solanine, five marine biotoxin including Paralytic shellfish poisoning, and histamine in fish products has been added.