Zero detection of lean meat powder starts with refusing to use it
The issue of ractopamine in American beef continues to smolder. The public's doubts about the health risks ractopamine use may pose, about the failure of the government's oversight and gatekeeping mechanisms, about the impact of opening the door to ractopamine imports on the domestic livestock industry, and even about animal welfare, along with concerns that signing the TIFA will once again deal a heavy blow to Taiwan's farming and livestock industries - all these questions remain unresolved. What is more, after a third expert meeting that reached no conclusion, the government hastily announced late on the evening of March 5 a "conditional lifting of the ban" on American beef containing ractopamine (for details, please read "The Ractopamine File").
Over the past month, the related doubts have not been dispelled. The "separation of cattle and pigs" promised in the government's original "16-character motto" also came to look precarious after last Thursday the draft amendment to the Food Sanitation Management Act was sent to cross-party negotiation in the Legislative Yuan. The "National Food Safety Alliance," formed jointly by more than a hundred groups nationwide (including the Homemakers United Foundation, community colleges, environmental groups and civic groups from around the country), held a "Walk for Food Safety" dark candlelight silent march yesterday (April 1) to protest the government's behind-closed-doors dealings and its opening the door to ractopamine in disregard of the public's health - an act that fools the people. The alliance therefore called on citizens to take to the streets on April Fools' Day to protest the arrival of a "dark age of food."
The National Food Safety Alliance also released today a list of legislators who have refused to take a stance on "banning ractopamine," urging all citizens to join in monitoring them. Lu Mei-luan, secretary-general of the Homemakers United Foundation Environmental Protection Foundation, said the alliance has three main demands: (1) a complete ban on ractopamine, with no conditional opening; (2) the government's food safety policy should be transparent and open; and (3) policy-making should include a mechanism for citizen participation. If the government continues to ignore the pressure of public opinion, another wave of protest actions will be held before the May 20 presidential inauguration.
