TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei's Department of Health (衛生局) reported Monday (July 28) that nearly one-third of fresh produce sampled from major online platforms failed safety inspections. Officials discovered pesticide residues and dangerous cadmium contamination in eight out of 15 fresh produce samples collected in May from popular e-commerce sites including Shopee (蝦皮), Momo (momo購物網), and FRESCO (新鮮屋). The alarming 32% failure rate has raised significant public health concerns about food safety standards on Taiwan's digital marketplaces.
Health department inspections revealed a stark contrast between product categories, with all tested salt seasonings meeting safety standards while fresh produce showed widespread contamination. The eight non-compliant samples included four lilies, one snow pea, one Malabar spinach, one durian, and one avocado. Cadmium levels exceeded safety limits in four lily samples and one avocado, prompting immediate regulatory action from Taipei authorities.
Authorities have published comprehensive details about the platforms and non-compliant products on their official website for public transparency. Vendors linked to pesticide residue violations face substantial fines ranging from NT$60,000 (around US$2,041) to NT$200 million (around US$6.8 million). Those with heavy metal infractions risk penalties from NT$30,000 (around US$1,020) to NT$3 million (around US$102,041) if violations remain uncorrected within specified timeframes.
Taipei officials have ordered vendors to immediately remove all non-compliant products from their platforms. Local health departments will handle enforcement when product sources originate outside Taipei's jurisdiction, while Taipei-based vendors violating regulations face direct legal consequences. Consumers are strongly encouraged to stay informed about food safety issues and regularly check the health department's official website for the latest updates on product safety violations. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$29.4)