August 3, 2007

Taiwan may allow malathion traces in wheat over next two months
 

Taiwan may allow some traces of malathion pesticide in imported wheat over the next two months, depending on the public's response to a notice detailing this measure posted on the Department of Health's website, a government official said Friday (Aug 3).

"The Department of Health has proposed a tolerance of 0.5 parts per million for malathion in imported wheat, which is in keeping with international pesticide residue norms laid down in Codex Alimentarius," said David Cheng, director of the Food Safety Bureau.

The issue of malathion in imported wheat flared up last month when Taiwanese health officials rejected a 9,000-tonne shipment of US wheat due to traces of malathion, which had raised concerns that it may lead to a wheat shortage in Taiwan.

Taiwan currently has a zero tolerance for malathion in wheat.