October 03, 2023 | Focus Taiwan |
Mangosteens imported from Thailand have been blocked at Taiwan's border for the second consecutive week due to excessive levels of the insecticide cypermethrin, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The mangosteens, imported by Greather Fruit Trading Co., Ltd., contained 0.05 mg/kg of cypermethrin, exceeding the permissible limit of 0.01 mg/kg. The 1,704 kg batch will be destroyed or returned to Thailand. In a separate incident, seasonings from Indonesia imported by Hocm Trading Co., Ltd., were found to contain excessive levels of the artificial sweetener cyclamate, which Taiwan permits only for specific products. The FDA has increased inspections for products imported by both companies. In the latest weekly report on intercepted imports, 15 goods from various countries were also stopped at the border and either destroyed or returned to their countries of origin.