TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — The Health Bureau of Taichung City Government estimates that more than 80 restaurants in the city likely purchased around 16,000 kilograms of mislabeled frozen pork from the United States as on Friday (Oct. 6).
Authorities believe most of the controversial meat has already been consumed as their stock is almost depleted.
Taichung City Government received notification from the Taoyuan's Department of Public Health earlier this week, reporting that two meat suppliers have been deceitfully mislabeling the country of origin on their pork products.
Instead of the United States, they mislabeled the pork as being from Canada or the U.K. The mislabeled meat has also been purchased by unsuspecting restaurateurs in Chiayi, Nantou, New Taipei City, and Taoyuan.
The public has strongly criticized these unscrupulous business practices and demanded that suppliers label their products truthfully.
Despite local pork being a relatively expensive choice, it's widely accepted among consumers and caterers for its taste and freshness who wish to avoid using American frozen pork, which Taiwan allows the import of despite the possibility of it containing ractopamine.