The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is increasing random border inspections on Japanese food imports.
An FDA report released Wednesday revealed that an unusually high number of Japanese products tested at random last year failed to pass inspection. Notably, inspectors found pesticide residue in Japanese lilies, onions, basil, and mandarin oranges.
According to one FDA official on Wednesday, random inspections will be raised to cover 50% of all food shipments from Japan. The rate had been set at 20%.
The FDA is warning Taiwanese importers to ensure their sources are safe and sanitary. The FDA says it will publish the names, addresses, and other details of importers whose shipments fail inspections.
FDA figures show Taiwan imported 640,000 shipments of food and cooking utensils in 2015. Of these, 98% of randomly selected shipments passed inspection.