Taiwan intercepts contaminated sea urchin, beef, and chili imports

Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intercepted several batches of imported food products at the border due to safety violations. A shipment of 17.6 kilograms of chilled sea urchin roe imported by Sushi Express from Canada was found to contain cadmium levels of 0.6 mg/kg, which is double the legal limit of 0.3 mg/kg. This marks the second time in six months that the company's Canadian sea urchin imports have failed inspection. Consequently, the FDA has implemented a 100% inspection rate for all future batches from this supplier.

Other intercepted items include frozen beef tongue from the United States, which tested positive for the parasite Sarcocystis. Additionally, a batch of chili flakes from China was found to contain the prohibited dye Sudan Red III. While the sea urchin and beef tongue are slated for return or destruction, the chili flakes must be destroyed immediately. Other products, including cabbage from Indonesia and melons from Japan, were also flagged for various pesticide or regulatory non-compliance issues.