Health Minister Chiang Been-huang was at the legislature on Monday to explain Taiwan’s policy toward the use of a leanness enhancing agent in meat called ractopamine. The issue has come to the fore in Taiwan amid speculation that the incoming Cabinet may move to allow the import of US pork containing the drug.
Chiang on Monday reiterated the country’s policy toward the US of ractopamine. He also explained three examination processes that would limit the use of ractopamine and ensure food safety.
“First of all, the agriculture council allows ractopamine as a feed additive for cows only, not for pigs or other livestock. Second, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has set limits for ractopamine residue for beef juice only. Third, according to the Legislature’s revision [of Act Governing Food Sanitation], and taking our citizen’s eating habits into account, the maximum ractopamine residue limits apply only to beef, and not to pork, or to pork and beef offal," said Chiang.
Chiang said that when setting the limits for safe levels of ractopamine, the ministry referred to the International Union of Toxicology’s residue test reports. However, he said the limits do not apply to pork, because those imports are not currently allowed.
Chiang said that the government will uphold food safety standards while at the same time adhering to policies that facilitate economic growth.