TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Kaohsiung Department of Health apologized Thursday for mistakenly reporting that Px Mart’s Taiwan tilapia fillets contained a banned veterinary drug, CNA reported.
In October, the department’s inspections detected enrofloxacin, an antibiotic prohibited in aquatic products that is used to treat animal bacterial infections. Px Mart announced on Nov. 28 that authorities had ordered the removal of 200-gram packs of Taiwan tilapia fillets from store shelves.
However, supplier Kouhu Fisheries from Yunlin said Tuesday that samples from the same batch tested by SGS showed no enrofloxacin.
The health department confirmed Thursday that the earlier positive result was caused by a lab error. Kouhu expressed frustration that the situation has harmed years of credibility and plans to hold a press conference on Friday to explain the situation.
Officials explained that a computer setting had been adjusted to ten times the normal sensitivity. This produced false positives in two rounds of testing.
A 29-year-old certified lab technician, surnamed Chen (陳), working as a temporary research assistant, altered the test value, but left the job on Nov. 4. Although Chen's motive remains unclear, authorities have referred the case to prosecutors on suspicion of falsifying official documents.
Health department director Huang Joh-jong (黃志中) said this was an isolated incident. No similar computer-setting changes had occurred, according to PTS.
Fish farmer Hsu (許), who supplied the tilapia to Kouhu, said he has raised Taiwan tilapia for decades without using enrofloxacin. He expressed frustration that the false report damaged consumer confidence and caused him personal distress, and said he plans to seek compensation from the health department, according to CNA.
The Yunlin County Government said it will fully support the producer in defending its reputation and pursuing compensation. Kaohsiung authorities said they will coordinate with the supplier on compensation for losses.
Px Mart thanked the health department for clarifying the matter and maintaining food safety standards. The chain said it will resume selling the tilapia fillets as soon as possible and does not intend to pursue legal action.
