With the flourishing development of e-commerce, online shopping has become commonplace for the general public. Online grocery stores selling all sorts of delicacies through social platforms or online streaming have also become quite prevalent in recent years. To enhance the safety and hygiene of online grocery shopping and ensure that all food products on the market meet the standards of food safety and sanitation, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (hereinafter referred to as TFDA) continues to perform checks and random inspections at manufacturers, online sellers, and catering businesses.

TFDA would like to remind all consumers to choose trustworthy sellers and be cautious regarding information provided by the seller. The TFDA has suggested the following four principles of online grocery shopping：First, pay attention to the information, quantity, net weight, and food business registration number of the product；Second, make sure to scan the QR code provided by the seller if detailed information cannot be found on the website；Third, pay attention to the category and price of the product and make sure that the date and method of delivery are reasonable before you place your order；Finally, check to see if the packaging is damaged or if any foods are missing or rotten upon receiving the product. Notify the seller immediately if you come across any issues.

The public may be easily affected by the rumors concerning food products. Therefore, the TFDA has established the Rumor Buster at http://www.fda.gov.tw > News and Announcements > Rumor Buster area to clarify rumors with scientific evidence and provide accurate information to answer public concerns. The TFDA has also established the food and drug consumption area at http://consumer.fda.gov.tw/ to safeguard the food safety of the general public by providing detailed information about food products, food sanitation, and nutritional information. We encourage the public to make good use of our resources to search for true, accurate, and complete information. The public shall also use the four principles of online grocery shopping to purchase and enjoy delicacies with confidence.