Taipei City Department of Health randomly tested food detergents: 3 items failed to label chemical names in Chinese
Text/Taipei City Department of Health
The Taipei City Government Department of Health conducted random testing of food cleaning agents at supermarkets, hypermarkets, grocery stores and other locations, testing a total of 20 products. All test results met the regulations, as detailed in the list. The Department of Health also inspected the labeling on food cleaning agent packaging. The inspection found that the outer packaging of 3 products did not label the "chemical names of the main ingredients" in Chinese in accordance with the new regulations, in violation of Article 27 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, and corrections may be ordered within a specified period in accordance with Article 52 of the same Act. Of the sources, 2 were in Taipei City, and the Department of Health has already begun an investigation in accordance with administrative procedures; 1 was in New Taipei City, and has been referred to the competent health authority for handling.
Of the 20 packaged products sampled this time, 3 were imported products and the rest were domestically produced. The test items included arsenic (calculated as As2O3), heavy metals (calculated as Pb), methanol content, nonylphenol surfactants (nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylate), fluorescent whitening agents, etc. All results met the regulations. In addition, inspections were conducted on the labeling of food cleaning agents, and it was found that the outer packaging of all 3 products did not label the "chemical names of the main ingredients" in Chinese.
According to the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation promulgated on June 19, 2013 (ROC year 102), the outer packaging of food cleaning agent products manufactured from June 19, 2014 (ROC year 103) onward shall, in accordance with Article 27 of the Act, be labeled in Chinese and with commonly used symbols as follows: 1. Product name. 2. Chemical names of the main ingredients; if composed of two or more ingredients, each shall be listed separately. 3. Net weight or volume. 4. Name, telephone number and address of the domestic responsible manufacturer. 5. Place of origin (country). 6. Date of manufacture; if the product has a shelf life, the expiry date or period of validity shall also be added. 7. Target users or purpose. 8. Directions for use and precautions or warnings for use. 9. Other matters announced by the central competent authority. The Taipei City Department of Health calls on manufacturers to ensure that the labeling of food cleaning agents complies with relevant regulations in order to provide consumers with sufficient information.
The Taipei City Government Department of Health reminds the public that food cleaning agents are used to clean food, food utensils, food containers and food packaging. If they contain harmful substances, these may enter the human body directly through contact during the washing process or indirectly through residues on tableware, causing harm. Consumers are advised to choose products that have passed inspection and have complete labeling when purchasing food cleaning agents, and to use them correctly according to the directions for use and concentration on the packaging, and to rinse thoroughly with clean water to avoid cleaning agent residue and maintain health.
If the public has questions about food safety and sanitation or consumer doubts, they may call the Taipei Citizen Hotline: 1999 (residents of other counties and cities please dial 02-27208889) ext. 7089. The above inspection results can be found on the Taipei City Government Department of Health website http://www.health.gov.tw/ to look up related information.