TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Inspections in May revealed high levels of pesticide residue in produce at a market operated by Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corporation, the Taipei City Market Administration Office reported Tuesday.

Out of 881 fruit and vegetable samples tested, 58 failed to meet safety standards, per CNA. The largest share of violations came from chili peppers, papayas, and guavas.

Officials said more than 19,000 kilograms of tainted produce were destroyed. Among 96 chili pepper samples, eight failed testing. Of 38 papaya samples, four failed, resulting in the largest single-item disposal at 1,908 kilograms. One out of 33 guava samples also tested positive for excessive pesticide residue.

While chili peppers have drawn scrutiny in past inspections, the Market Administration said the higher failure rates for papayas and guavas in May may have been coincidental. No clear link has been found between specific pesticide types and production regions, and further investigation is ongoing.

To safeguard food safety, pesticide testing is conducted daily before auctions begin at the wholesale market. If a batch fails inspection, sales are immediately halted and all similar produce from the same supplier is suspended for the day.

Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corporation has been instructed to increase sampling of high-risk items.