Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration has laid down tougher rules for importing meat. Health officials say that starting October 1, imported meat will need to have more documentation about its precise origins.
The new rules outline requirements specific for importing fresh, refrigerated, frozen, and cured meat products. Agricultural inspectors will verify where and when the animal was slaughtered, as well as where and when the meat product was processed, manufactured, and packaged.
For canned meat, new import rules will come into effect on July 1, 2023.
Importers who do not provide the certification documents to health authorities will be banned to protect food health and safety in Taiwan. The penalty for fraudulent documents will range from NT$30,000 (US$1,000) to NT$3 million (US$100,000) depending on the severity of the violation.