TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that inspections of light-meal food businesses uncovered multiple problems, resulting in fines totaling NT$320,000 (US$10,550).
In recent years, meals marketed as fitness-friendly or wellness-oriented, often prepared using boiling, steaming, or sous vide, have grown popular. In response to this trend, the administration, in cooperation with local health bureaus, carried out inspections between June and July, according to CNA.
A total of 137 light-meal restaurants and 45 food retailers were examined, and 342 ready-to-eat products were sampled. The inspection focused on several areas.
These included compliance with good hygiene practices, proper business registration, product liability insurance, standardized contracts for online transactions and gift vouchers, accurate product labeling, ingredient sourcing, and expiration dates. High-risk items such as fresh, ready-to-eat vegetables and homemade beverages were also tested for hygiene and safety.
The results revealed that one business did not meet technical certification requirements, while two others had product labeling that failed to meet regulatory standards. Three ready-to-eat products did not pass hygiene testing.
Additionally, one ingredient supplier was found to be providing packaged food with inaccurate labeling. Two others were selling products with incomplete labeling information.
All businesses that failed tests have been referred to local health authorities for legal action. The remaining establishments passed inspection and testing without issue.
The administration also reminded food business operators that labeling general meals or products as “healthy” is not permitted under current regulations. Violators may face fines ranging from NT$40,000 to NT$4 million.
