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News Desk

The China Post

Publication Date : 12-09-2012

Leading retail chains and restaurants in Taiwan said that they have completed necessary preparations to fully comply with the government rules of stating the origins of their beef products beginning today.

Trading companies have also started applying for permits to import beef from the United States with allowed levels of the leanness-enhancing drug ractopamine.

The Department of Health (DOH) formally announced yesterday that the new rules concerning the importation of overseas beef products containing a Ractopamine maximum residue level of no higher than 10 ppb (parts per billion) is effective immediately.

The Food and Drug Administration under the DOH will start enforcing the new rules requiring that all retailers and restaurants specify where their beef products come from so that consumers can make their own choices.

Beef products containing ractopamine that exceed the 10 ppb level will be confiscated and destroyed.

Retail outlets and restaurants failing to place public signs or notices concerning the sources of their beef products will face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 (US$1,000 to US$5,000)  in accordance with the new rules ratified by lawmakers.