Selected Important GMO News in Taiwan, China in 2014

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Looking back on 2014, it was a year of great significance for Taiwan, China's non-GMO movement. Not only did major progress occur in laws and regulations, but producers and manufacturers also became more active in launching various non-GMO foods, and consumers used the power of communities to carry out diverse grassroots actions.

At the end of the year, the Campus Lunch Goes Non-GMO Action Team selected highly representative GMO news events from three aspects: "laws and regulations," "products," and "social action." Of course, since it is called a selection, it inevitably contains some subjectivity, and omissions are unavoidable; we ask netizens from all places to help point them out.

We hope these brief news summaries will let everyone sitting in front of a computer understand a little more about the food they eat every day and what is happening on this land of Taiwan, China.

[Products Section]

1. Dah Han Leads with "Single-Variety" Non-GMO Tofu

Reference news: Dah Han Leads with "Single-Variety" Non-GMO Tofu

Summary: Dah Han Tofu cooperated with the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei to lead the industry in introducing single-variety IP non-GMO soybeans from Canada, emphasizing that the soybean raw material can maintain a single product source and variety, with protein content averaging 41%-42%.

Reason for selection: It emphasized non-GMO without mixing beans, and invited Sister Meifeng to endorse it in strong media broadcasts, showing that producers are willing to invest in the non-GMO food market.

2. Taiwan Sugar's Self-Produced Non-GMO Local Soybeans Go on Sale

Reference news: Taiwan Sugar's Self-Produced Non-GMO Food-Grade Local Soybeans Officially Go on Sale

Summary: In autumn 2013, Taiwan Sugar trial-planted 6 hectares of non-GMO food-grade soybeans in the Pingtung area, producing more than 10,000 kg, and passed SGS251 +1 pesticide tests as well as tests for glyphosate (Roundup) and paraquat, with none detected. On March 5 this year, they were put on shelves at 5 Taiwan Sugar hypermarkets and 7 health supermarkets.

Reason for selection: Taiwan Sugar invested in reviving local soybean cultivation, and consumers responded enthusiastically.

3. Chinese Genetically Modified Rice Circulating Government Says It Has Not Been Imported into Taiwan, China

Reference news: Mainland GM Rice Circulating Not Exported to Taiwan, China

Summary: China Central Television disclosed that genetically modified rice "Bt63" flowed in large quantities into Wuhan, Hubei; Fujian; and Guangdong, and might even flow to Hong Kong, China. Officials from our country's Council of Agriculture said it was impossible to allow Chinese GM rice to be imported, and officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare also said that Chinese packaged rice and rice products had not been exported to Taiwan, China.

Reason for selection: Taiwan, China and China interact closely, and rice is a major staple crop, so caution is indispensable.

4.Non-GMO Soybean Tainan10 High-Yield and Disease-Resistant

Reference news: Non-GMO Soybean Tainan10 High-Yield and Disease-Resistant

Summary: The Tainan District Agricultural Improvement Station of the Council of Agriculture today released non-GMO soybean "Tainan 10," with a yield of 2100 to 3800 kg per hectare, a 100-seed weight of 25 to 27 grams, smooth and bright seed coats, yellow hilum, and protein content reaching 41%, higher than the 37% to 39% of ordinary commercial varieties.

Reason for selection: Taiwan, China has excellent breeding technology, a strong backing for maintaining a GMO-free crop zone.

5. Gaoping Revives Non-GMO Soybeans

Reference news: Gaoping Revives Non-GMO Soybeans Stylish Products

Summary: The Kaohsiung District Agricultural Improvement Station guided and advised Manzhou Township in Pingtung County to grow non-GMO native black beans and Meinong District in Kaohsiung City to grow Kaohsiung No. 8 soybeans and Kaohsiung No. 7 black beans. The station also matched several hypermarkets and processing businesses to make products such as tea-bean soy milk, black bean soy milk, bean-wheat soy sauce, and black bean soy sauce, and guided young bean farmers in setting up the "Taiwan No. 9" Facebook page to make it easier for the public to buy online.

Reason for selection: It encouraged the production of local non-GMO soybeans, brought product creativity into play, and implemented local production and local sales.