Taiwan keeps close watch on Japanese imports

JAPAN used to ship food products to Taiwan without difficulty, but this has particularly changed some four years ago after the nuclear power plant disaster in Fukushima. The last thing anyone wanted then was to consume nuclear contaminated food. As a precaution, Taiwan stopped importing food items coming from Fukushima and prefectures close by. Recently, however it had discovered hundreds of food products to be inappropriately labeled, and were in fact coming from the areas affected by the nuclear disaster, according to Japan Today.

This incident, which occurred earlier this month, has pushed the Taiwan Food & Drug Administration to enforce stricter measures on all food products coming from Japan. Incoming products must now carry radiation inspection certificates and certification that products do not come from the affected prefectures.

Chocolates are among major products shipped to Taiwan according to Japan Today (Photo © Jinyoung Lee | Dreamstime Stock Photos)

The Japanese government said it would help in the investigation of the mislabeled products, but also expect Taiwan to ease restrictions eventually.

Taiwan is not without its food scandals but it has been intensifying its food safety measures to prevent further contamination issues.