Taiwan's Council of Agriculture (COA) released the preliminary results of an investigation into the use of cottonseed meal on October 26. The investigation into local factories reveals that the increase in cottonseed meal import can be attributed to three feed manufacturers and one fertiliser importer.

According to the COA's probe, only 150kg of cottonseed meal was imported to Taiwan in 2011, which was mainly for scientific use; the amount subsequently jumped to 5,500 tonnes in 2012 and 3,550 tonnes in the first eight months of 2013, the majority of which was used for animal feed and growth substrate in mushroom cultivation bags.

This is mainly because of the good harvest in Australia last year, which resulted in cheaper prices and enticed feed millers to replace expensive soymeal or other protein ingredients, COA added.

The investigation follows a report by Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital psychiatrist Billy Pan, who pointed out that cottonseed meal imports surged to more than 5,500 tonnes in 2012 from merely 150kg in 2011. The report led to mounting public concern over the possibility that the cottonseed meal might have been added to food products, since the gossypol in crude cottonseed oil could damage the male reproductive system.

Cottonseed meal, which is produced from cottonseed oil, is high in protein. The meal could be mixed into animal feed to increase protein intake. However, as animals are able to digest gossypol, it could pose potential harm to humans. COA says that only 10% of cottonseed meal can be added to feed for animals, and 2% to 3% to poultry feed.