Changhua Tests Herbal Teas, Screening Drink Safety for Consumers

The health bureau stated that in this spot test, the chrysanthemum sampled at the TEA-WORK Chenggong store, a light-meal restaurant within its jurisdiction, was found to have as many as 9 pesticide residues exceeding the safe tolerance levels. The operator has been ordered to stop using it. Further investigation found that the chrysanthemum came from Xinglong Chinese Herbal Medicine Shop in Taichung City (No. 182, Wuchang Street, Taichung City), and the case has been referred to the Taichung City Government Health Bureau to trace the source and other downstream distribution channels and to handle it in accordance with the law.

In response, the Taichung City Health Bureau dispatched inspectors this morning to conduct a check. According to Xinglong Chinese Herbal Medicine Shop, this batch of chrysanthemum was purchased from "Shunzheng Trading Company" in Kaohsiung. After the operator was found by the Changhua County Government Health Bureau last year to have chrysanthemum with pesticide residues, it stopped purchasing from Shunzheng and ceased selling it after May last year. The inspectors also found no related inventory on site.

The health bureau said that under Article 15 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, food or food additives with pesticide residues exceeding the safe tolerance levels may not be manufactured, processed, blended, packaged, transported, stored, sold, imported, exported, used as gifts, or publicly displayed. Violators may be fined between NT$60,000 and NT$200 million.