Taiwan to Revise Contaminants and Toxins in Food

On November 13, 2023, Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) released Draft Sanitation Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food, involving food categories such as young child formula, infant drinks, offal of poultry and livestock, nut, seeds, and chocolate. The amended contents are proposed to take effect from July 1, 2024. Any feedback can be submitted within 60 days from November 13, 2023.

Major proposed revisions

1. The draft proposes to amend the lead limits for edible offal of cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry. Revised parts are listed in the table below:

Metals	Foodstuffs	Maximum levels (ML) (mg/kg)
Lead	Edible offal of cattle and sheep	0.5→0.2
	Edible offal of pigs	0.5→0.15
	Edible offal of poultry	0.5→0.1

2. The draft proposes to add and revise lead and cadmium limits for young child formula, infant drinks, and infant formula for special medical purposes. Young child formula, which is newly covered by the draft, is defined as milk-based drinks and similar protein-based products specially designed to supplement the nutrition of young children between 12 to 36 months. Details are listed in the table below.

Metals	Foodstuffs	Maximum levels (ML) (mg/kg)
Lead	Infant formula, follow-up infant formula, and young child formula
	- marketed as liquid - marketed as powder	0.010 0.050→0.020
	Infant formula for special medical purposes and foods for special medical purposes intended specifically for young child
	- marketed as liquid - marketed as powder	0.010 0.050→0.020
	Drinks which labelled and sold to infant and young child, except of infant formula, follow-up infant formula, young child formula, infant formula for special medical purposes and foods for special medical purposes intended specifically for young child and marketed as liquid
Cadmium	Young child formula -manufactured from plant protein isolates other than soya protein isolates, alone or in a mixture with cow's milk proteins.
	- marketed as liquid - marketed as powder	/→0.010 /→0.020
	Drinks for infants and young children labelled and sold as such, other than infant formula, follow-up infant formula and young child formula marketed as liquids	/→0.020

3. The draft proposes to add the cadmium limits for nuts and seeds. Details are listed in the table below:

Metals	Foodstuffs	Maximum levels (ML) (mg/kg)
Cadmium	Pine nuts	/→0.3
	Other tree nuts	/→0.2
	Rape seeds	/→0.15
	Mustard seeds	/→0.3
	Linseed and sunflower seed	/→0.5
	Other oilseeds	/→0.1

4. The draft proposes to add the cadmium limits for chocolate. Chocolate is defined as a product that is made from cocoa products such as cocoa butter, cocoa powder or cocoa paste; can be added with sugar, milk products or food additives; and does not contain fillings. Details are listed in the table below:

Metals	Foodstuffs	Maximum levels (ML) (mg/kg)
Cadmium	Chocolate containing 50% or more than 50% but less than 70% total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis	/→0.8
Cadmium	Chocolate containing 70% or more than 70% total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis	/→0.9

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