BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU EATTAPIOCA STARCH PROBLEMS –TAIWAN NEWS FOOD

SAFETY 2013

OBJECTIVES•ENSURING FOOD SAFETY•ENSURING THE PUBLIC HEALTH•PREVENTING FOOD TOXIC

BACKGROUND•Over 300 tons of starch has been confiscated by

taiwanese health authorities since may of 2013. •These starch balls were tainted with DEHP•Bubble tea, dumplings, rice noodles, sweet taro balls, etc…

CONTAMINATED FOODS PROBLEM•Many food and beverages with plasticizer chemicals like

DEHP. •The plasticizer was illegally added to food and drinks as a

substitute ingredients.•DEHP in food and drinks can cause cancer, kidney

damage and fertility problems if it is consumed regularly.

WHAT IS DEHP?•DEHP used in plastics and personal care products•DEHP may have been intentionally added to a food

additive to substitute for more expensive food ingredients to save the manufacturer money.•Used to make food packaging, is not on the list of food

additives and its use as such is banned.

INSPECTION TAIWAN FOOD AND BEVERAGES

• Reminded vendors that if they are found to be selling products containing DEHP, they could fines of up to NT$6 million•Major investigation in june 2013 and

removed all products that may have contained DEHP, to provide safety certification.• The FDA reports that no further

problems have been reported about food products imported from taiwan.

Taiwan going to guarantee quality of food products

CONCLUSION•Manufacturers and food vendors must also be more

cautious about the ingredients they purchase from suppliers.•A good balance is the key. Just eat and enjoy the drink but

only in moderation.