Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung says food products from parts of Japan affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster are unlikely to be used in Taiwanese school meals. Chen was speaking on Wednesday, a day after the government announced it would lift a decade-long ban on food imports from the region.
After Taiwan announced it would lift the ban, the National Alliance of Parents Organization expressed concern about schools using food products from Fukushima.
In response, Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung said that more than 90% of school meal ingredients are locally produced and fully traceable.
In March 2011, Taiwan banned the importation of food products made in parts of Japan affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The ban covers food products from five Japanese prefectures. It has been a continuing source of trade friction between Japan and Taiwan ever since.
On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Cabinet announced that it would lift the ban, while ensuring incoming goods from the region have certificates of origin and radiation inspection certificates. Some products, including mushrooms and the meat of wild animals, are still banned from entering Taiwan.