April 19, 2021

Excessive level of ractopamine found in US beef sold in Taiwanese supermarket

Inspectors in Taichung City, Taiwan, have found an excessive level of ractopamine in US beef sold at a supermarket on April 16.

Following an end to the ban on importing pork containing residues of the drug, local authorities have been stepping up checks of meat products amid public unease about health risks.

A package of beef tendon bearing a Kansas City, Missouri, address registered 0.02 parts per million of ractopamine, double the official maximum limit of 0.01ppm, the Liberty Times reported.

The city levied a fine of NT$120,000 (US$4,200) on the supermarket and passed the case on to Taipei City, where the meat product had been transported from. The capital's health department said it had demanded the removal from shelves of similar products.

The supermarket had reportedly ordered 199 kilogrammes of beef tendon from a Taipei-based supplier.

- Taiwan News