Mainland bans tainted drinks, food from Taiwan

China.org.cn, June 2, 2011

Chinese mainland authorities announced Wednesday that it will suspend imports of beverages and food products and food additives produced by Taiwan companies suspected of using DEHP, starting from June 1.

Taiwan food and drink products are required to produce a DEHP-free certification by qualified laboratories before they can be imported, said the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) in a statement.

The GAQSIQ said it will step up inspections, tests and supervision of food and food additives from Taiwan in an effort to protect consumer health in the mainland.

China's food safety commission under the State Council, has also ordered increased inspections and instant recalls for beverages, food products and additives contaminated with DEHP if they are found in factories, stores, or restaurants.

The DEHP contamination scandal in Taiwan has spread across the Straits and started to affect the mainland market, as authorities Tuesday found that about 500-600 cases of tainted asparagus juice produced by Uni-President of Taiwan had been imported to the Chinese mainland.

Last week, China's top quality watchdog announced that DEHP-contaminated cases of Yes Sports Drink from Taiwan had entered Shanghai in March. The products have since been taken off the shelf.

The city of Shanghai has also ordered a comprehensive inspection of products imported from Taiwan to prevent DEHP-tainted products from being sold in the city.

DEHP is widely used as an industrial plasticizer in the manufacture of items such as medical tubing and intravenous bags. DEHP-contaminated food and drinks can lead to hormone disorders and potential cancer risks.