December 21, 2020

American Institute in Taiwan decries food safety disinformation amid Taiwan pork import dispute

The American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto United States embassy in Taiwan, decried disinformation from Taiwan politicians about food safety amid opposition over the Taiwan government's decision to permit US pork imports treated with ractopamine, Reuters reported.

The American Institute in Taiwan said all US exports to Taiwan and to its other trade partners are safe and meet the same high evidence-based standards used in the US.

The institute added that it is a disservice to Taiwanese consumers when political figures spread disinformation, calling on all parties to approach this issue responsibly on a scientific basis. The institute did not name names.

Taiwan's political scene has been embroiled over Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen's decision to permit imports of US pork containing ractopamine in August.

The country's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT) opposes the imports on the grounds of food safety, organising protests and throwing pig entrails in parliament recently.

Ractopamine is banned in China and the European Union.

Only 1% of pork consumed in Taiwan is imported from the US. Most pork consumed in the country are reared domestically.

- Reuters