Taipei, Sept. 24 (CNA) — Taiwanese authorities have intercepted a shipment of chicken seasoning imported from Thailand for KFC due to the presence of the banned pesticide ethylene oxide. The shipment was stopped before it could enter Taiwan.
The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) released a list on Tuesday detailing 11 items that failed inspections at the border in recent months. Among these was a shipment weighing 2,024.42 kilograms of chicken seasoning from Thailand, which tested positive for 0.1 mg/kg of ethylene oxide during testing that began on July 22.
Lin Chin-fu, Deputy Director-General of the TFDA, stated that Jardine Food Services (Taiwan) Co., Ltd., the importer responsible for the spices and operator of both KFC and Pizza Hut in Taiwan, will now face batch-by-batch inspections of its imported ingredients.
Previously, Jardine’s imports were subjected to a heightened inspection rate of 50 percent, increased from the standard 20 percent, according to Lin. He also noted that condiments and spices imported from Thailand by other companies will continue to undergo increased inspections until the end of 2024.
The TFDA’s list also included a shipment of 1,312.5 kilograms of banana chips from the Philippines, which was prohibited from entering Taiwan due to excessive levels of benzopyrene, a toxic substance linked to improper food processing methods such as overheating or burning.
As a result, products imported by Asean Vip International Trading Co., Ltd. will now be subject to 100 percent inspection.
Other similar products imported from the Philippines by different companies will remain under regular inspection protocols.
In addition to these items, the TFDA identified nine other products—including spices, produce, canned foods, and plastic knives—that were rejected for containing excessive pesticide residues, heavy metals, bleach, or failing dissolution tests.
Related topics:
- Wendy’s Celebrates SpongeBob’s 25th Anniversary with Krabby Patty Burger And Frosty
- Taco Bell Collaborates with Omar Apollo for Unique Hot Sauce Release
- KFC Launches Industry-First Sign Language Training for Employees