Taiwan to Revise the Limits of Heavy Metals in Vegetables and Fruits

Sep.2, 2015, Taiwan FDA announced the revision of “Limits of Heavy Metals in Vegetables and Fruits”, which mainly added the limits for lead and cadmium in vegetables and fruits and their applicable scopes. This new regulation was formally implemented since its announcement.

Category	Limit for lead	Applicable scope
Leafy vegetables	<0.3ppm	It is also applicable to leafy vegetables under brassica.
Brassica vegetables	<0.3ppm	It is applicable to cabbage heads, kohlrabi, cauliflower, broccoli, and “head” part of brussels sprouts. It is not applicable to leafy vegetables under brassica.
Root and tuber vegetables	<0.1ppm	It is applicable to whole commodity after removing tops and soils, as well as potatoes after removal of peel, and is not applicable to celeriac.
Bulb vegetables	<0.1ppm	It is applicable to dry onion and garlic after removal of roots, soils and peel easy to break off.
Fruiting vegetables	<0.1ppm	It is applicable to fruiting vegetables after removal of stems, husks of sweet corn and fresh corn excluded.
Legume vegetables	<0.2ppm	Including edible pods
Pulses	<0.2ppm	Including edible pods and dry legume vegetables picked when it is dry
Berries and other small fruits	<0.2ppm
Other vegetables and fruits	<0.1ppm
Herbs and spices, fresh	<0.3ppm

Category	Limit for cadmium	Applicable scope
Leafy vegetables	<0.2ppm	It is also applicable to leafy vegetables under brassica.
Brassica vegetables	<0.05ppm	It is applicable to head cabbages, kohlrabi, cauliflower, broccoli, and “head” part of brussels sprouts. It is not applicable to leafy vegetables under brassica.
Root and tuber vegetables	<0.1ppm	It is applicable to whole commodity after removing tops and soils, as well as potatoes after removal of peel, and is not applicable to celeriac and parsnips.
Celeriac and parsnips	<0.2ppm
Stalk and stem vegetables	<0.1ppm	It is applicable to leaf stems only for rhubarb, and flower head only for globe artichoke. Adhering soils should be removed first for the application to celery and asparagus.
Bulb vegetables	<0.05ppm	It is applicable to dry onion and garlic after removal of roots, soils and peel easy to break off.
Fruiting vegetables	<0.05ppm	It is applicable to fruiting vegetables after removal of stems, husks of sweet corn and fresh corn excluded.
Legume vegetables	<0.1ppm	Including edible pods
Pulses	<0.1ppm	Including edible pods and dry legume vegetables picked when it is dry, soybeans excluded
Soy beans	<0.2ppm
Other vegetables and fruits	<0.05ppm
Herbs and spices, fresh	<0.2ppm