March 28, 2012

Taiwan's seafood sales soar amid food scares

Sales of seafood have increased in the midst of a series of food scares in Taiwan.

An estimated 30-40% sales increase in seafood has been reported in major supermarkets amid public concern over the use of ractopamine in the livestock industry and other food safety issues.

"Salmon, tilapia and milkfish - these are the three angels we have discovered unexpectedly," said A-MART PR Manager Susan Yang, adding that sales of the three items have doubled to tripled lately.

Food safety issues have been at the forefront in Taiwan since February, after the government announced that it is mulling conditionally opening the local market to beef that contains the leanness-enhancing drug, which is banned in Taiwan.