Dioxins Detected in Japanese Imported Mitten Crabs, Taiwan Tightens Import Controls
Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced on June 9 that dioxins, known as the 'poison of the century,' were detected in Japanese imported mitten crabs. A total of 10 kg of the products will be returned or destroyed, and 100% surveillance inspection on Japanese mitten crabs will be implemented until June 3, 2027.
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- 📰 Published: June 9, 2026 at 12:41
- 🔍 Collected: June 9, 2026 at 12:57 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 9, 2026 at 12:58 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 9) Dioxins, known as the 'poison of the century,' have been detected in Japanese imported mitten crabs. This is the first violation discovered at the border in nearly three years. The Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced today that a total of 10 kg of the products must be returned or destroyed, and starting immediately until June 3, 2027, 100% surveillance inspection will be implemented on Japanese mitten crabs.
The TFDA today routinely released information on border inspection failures, revealing a total of 6 products that violated regulations, including Vietnamese purple rice and French cheese, which were found to have excessive pesticide residues or other non-compliant conditions. All were ordered to be returned or destroyed.
In this case, two batches of mitten crabs imported from Japan by a company were found to contain dioxin levels of 4.5 pg/g wet weight and 8.0 pg/g wet weight, and total dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) levels of 10.1 pg/g wet weight. A total of 10 kg must be returned or destroyed according to regulations.
Liu Fang-ming, Director of the TFDA's Northern Regional Management Center, told the media that according to the 'Regulations on the Control of Dioxin and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Food,' the limit for dioxins is 3.5 pg/g wet weight, and the limit for the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs is 6.5 pg/g wet weight.
Due to the significant impact of dioxins on the human body and the environment, Director Liu said that Japanese mitten crabs had no previous record of non-compliance and were subject to routine batch inspection at a rate of 2% to 10%. The TFDA reviewed import records of Japanese mitten crabs over the past three years, finding that out of 63 declared batches, 22 were inspected, and only these two batches were found to be non-compliant.
'Japanese mitten crabs are a different species from Chinese mitten crabs (hairy crabs), but they are not the same,' Director Liu explained. The inspection for this specific company has been adjusted to 100% batch-by-batch inspection. As for all imports of mitten crabs from Japan, from June 4, 2026, to June 3, 2027, border surveillance inspection, meaning 100% batch-by-batch inspection, will be implemented, and the inspection rate will not be adjusted even if compliance standards are met.
Dr. Yen Tsung-hai, Director of the Clinical Toxicology Center at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained in a telephone interview that dioxins, known as the 'poison of the century,' are actually a collective term for over 400 compounds, mostly originating from industrial processes such as incomplete combustion of waste containing specific substances.
The effects of dioxins on the human body are divided into short-term high-level exposure and long-term low-level accumulation. Dr. Yen said the former can cause skin lesions and liver function abnormalities, while the latter can lead to cancer, immune system dysfunction, and even miscarriages and birth defects.
Dr. Yen suggested that for prevention, since dioxins tend to accumulate in internal organs and fatty tissues, and there is currently no antidote, it is recommended to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and reduce consumption of internal organs and fatty meats. (Editor: Chen Qing-fang) June 9, 2026
The TFDA today routinely released information on border inspection failures, revealing a total of 6 products that violated regulations, including Vietnamese purple rice and French cheese, which were found to have excessive pesticide residues or other non-compliant conditions. All were ordered to be returned or destroyed.
In this case, two batches of mitten crabs imported from Japan by a company were found to contain dioxin levels of 4.5 pg/g wet weight and 8.0 pg/g wet weight, and total dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) levels of 10.1 pg/g wet weight. A total of 10 kg must be returned or destroyed according to regulations.
Liu Fang-ming, Director of the TFDA's Northern Regional Management Center, told the media that according to the 'Regulations on the Control of Dioxin and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Food,' the limit for dioxins is 3.5 pg/g wet weight, and the limit for the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs is 6.5 pg/g wet weight.
Due to the significant impact of dioxins on the human body and the environment, Director Liu said that Japanese mitten crabs had no previous record of non-compliance and were subject to routine batch inspection at a rate of 2% to 10%. The TFDA reviewed import records of Japanese mitten crabs over the past three years, finding that out of 63 declared batches, 22 were inspected, and only these two batches were found to be non-compliant.
'Japanese mitten crabs are a different species from Chinese mitten crabs (hairy crabs), but they are not the same,' Director Liu explained. The inspection for this specific company has been adjusted to 100% batch-by-batch inspection. As for all imports of mitten crabs from Japan, from June 4, 2026, to June 3, 2027, border surveillance inspection, meaning 100% batch-by-batch inspection, will be implemented, and the inspection rate will not be adjusted even if compliance standards are met.
Dr. Yen Tsung-hai, Director of the Clinical Toxicology Center at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained in a telephone interview that dioxins, known as the 'poison of the century,' are actually a collective term for over 400 compounds, mostly originating from industrial processes such as incomplete combustion of waste containing specific substances.
The effects of dioxins on the human body are divided into short-term high-level exposure and long-term low-level accumulation. Dr. Yen said the former can cause skin lesions and liver function abnormalities, while the latter can lead to cancer, immune system dysfunction, and even miscarriages and birth defects.
Dr. Yen suggested that for prevention, since dioxins tend to accumulate in internal organs and fatty tissues, and there is currently no antidote, it is recommended to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and reduce consumption of internal organs and fatty meats. (Editor: Chen Qing-fang) June 9, 2026
FAQ
What were the dioxin levels detected in this violation?
Dioxin levels were 4.5 pg/g and 8.0 pg/g wet weight, and total dioxins and PCBs were 10.1 pg/g wet weight.
What are Taiwan's limits for dioxins?
The limit for dioxins is 3.5 pg/g wet weight, and for the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs is 6.5 pg/g wet weight.
What measures are taken against the violating company?
The violating company will be subject to 100% batch-by-batch inspection for each import.