The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explained today (the 22nd) that food import inspection applications from five prefectures in Japan (Fukushima, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma) were suspended after the earthquake that caused the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011. Management measures for stronger inspections of radiation were adopted for products from other regions of Japan to ensure the safety of food imported to Taiwan. So far, more than 72,000 batches of food imported from Japan have been inspected at the borders and none have exceeded standards. With regard to today’s media report of the lifting of the import controls on products from four prefectures in Japan, the FDA clarified that this matter was still currently being assessed with no preset schedule. 

The FDA further explained that the results of border radiation detection of products imported from Japan must currently meet the radiation limits set by Taiwan and Japan (the strictest internationally). So far, the FDA had inspected more than 72,000 batches of food imported from Japan for radiation. By the strictest standards, the results indicate that no goods have exceeded the radiation limits set by Taiwan and Japan. Additionally, since the end of February of this year (2015), numerous cases of false labeling of Japanese products and false declarations of origin have been discovered. In response to this and to strengthen the management of declarations of origin in food imported from Japan, the FDA requested on May 15 of this year (2015) that the 42 prefectures beyond Fukushima and the other 4 suspended prefectures attach proofs of origin to their products as a measure to strengthen import management. Since implementation, no further cases of false declarations of origin have been discovered, nor have cases of radiation inspections exceeding the standards of Taiwan and Japan been found. The effectiveness of the strengthened management measures is confirmed. Since 2012, Japan has also continued to maintain contact with Taiwan in the hope that Taiwan will adjust its radiation control measures on Japanese food. 

The FDA has indicated that since the false labeling and declaration of origin incidents have occurred, Taiwan and Japan have communicated actively to establish a platform to strengthen substantial interaction between the two parties. Through the efforts of both sides, reference information on the false labeling and declaration of origin incidents has been obtained from Japan, facilitating judicial investigations and administrative sanctions in Taiwan. Additionally, through this platform, Taiwan and Japan have also jointly deliberated on preventing improper imports of food to Taiwan in the future and have discussed signing an MOU to strengthen food safety cooperation between Taiwan and Japan further in the future. 

The FDA has emphasized that protecting the food safety and peace of mind of the Taiwanese people is the government’s primary consideration. Food safety management measures must meet risk management principles while also referencing international norms and management trends and undergoing risk communication.