TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Tuesday (Sept. 17) raised concerns about wax candy imported from China being sold online in Taiwan.
"Wax bottle candy" from China has recently gone viral and appears on Taiwan’s online shopping platforms, but most of these products lack ingredient labels and permits. Deputy Health Minister Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀) Tuesday said that consuming the candy may be harmful to health, and selling it without approval is illegal.
Lin told CNA she had directed the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the Chinese products. Due to concerns over food safety and the potential for unapproved imports being sold, Lin said any violations will be handled according to the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation (食品安全衛生管理法) and Regulations Governing Trade between the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (臺灣地區與大陸地區貿易許可辦法).
Lin said that based on initial online discussions and seller descriptions, the outer layer of the candy appears to be made of wax, with the inner part reportedly being jam or syrup. However, she is skeptical that it’s real jam and suspects it is more likely a processed product with added flavors or coloring.
She also pointed out that some parents are worried that these candies may be sold near schools, which could pose risks to children. If any issues arise after consumption, "to put it bluntly, no one can be held accountable," she said, adding that even tracking down the online sellers might be difficult.
Lin said that if sellers have not gone through the proper import inspection procedures, they have broken food safety laws. She urged the public to report such cases to local health authorities.
She said it is difficult to determine whether such food contains heavy metals or illegal additives and consumers should exercise caution before purchasing to avoid financial and health risks.
On Facebook, Lin remarked that Taiwan offers a variety of delicious, fresh seasonal foods that have passed food safety and traceability regulations. “Why would anyone need to go online and buy wax and colored syrups from China, which have food safety concerns,” asked Lin.
Lin added, "Putting aside labeling issues, consider this: with the sharp decline in honey production in recent years, could there be such a large supply of cheap beeswax available for snack production?"
