Why was dioxin found in Japanese freshwater crabs?

Dioxin likely accumulated in sediment from industrial pollution, which crabs absorbed. The exact source is under investigation.

Can Taiwan continue importing Japanese crabs?

Yes, but under 100% inspection until June 2026. Any batch exceeding limits will be rejected immediately.

Are Japanese crabs safe for consumers now?

Yes, all crabs sold in Taiwan undergo full inspection, ensuring market products are safe.

Is cadmium in French truffles a serious issue?

4 out of 64 batches failed (6.3%) in six months, prompting temporary enhanced inspections.

Is this related to the Fukushima nuclear plant?

No direct link has been established; dioxin is more likely from industrial pollution sources.

Dioxin Detected in Japanese Freshwater Crabs for Second Consecutive Week; 56 kg Rejected and Destroyed

Published Jun 16, 2026 6:14 PM ・ Updated Jun 27, 2026 7:37 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that imported freshwater crabs from Japan have again tested positive for dioxin, marking the second consecutive week of failed inspections. A total of 56 kilograms must be returned or destroyed, with no products entering the market.

According to reports from Central News Agency, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced today that dioxin, known as the 'poison of the century,' has again been detected in freshwater crabs imported from Japan.

The contaminated batch, weighing 56 kilograms, was found to contain 4.9 picograms of dioxin per gram of wet weight—exceeding Taiwan's regulatory limit of 3.5 picograms per gram as defined in the 'Regulations on Dioxins and PCBs in Food.' As a result, the entire shipment must be returned to the country of origin or destroyed, with no distribution into the domestic market.

The FDA routinely discloses inspection results at the border, revealing 13 non-compliant products this time, including red tea powder from Myanmar and a German iron and B-complex fruit drink, all rejected or destroyed due to pesticide residues or other violations.

Last week marked the first detection of dioxin in Japanese freshwater crabs in nearly three years. In response, the FDA immediately implemented 100% surveillance inspections on all incoming shipments of Japanese freshwater crabs, effective until June 3, 2026. This means every single batch is tested, and the inspection rate will not be reduced regardless of compliance rates.

Liu Fang-ming, Director of the FDA's Northern Regional Office, confirmed that the latest batch of 56 kg exceeded the dioxin limit and must be returned or destroyed under regulations.

Additionally, two batches of fresh summer black truffles from France (totaling 0.24 kg) were found to contain cadmium at 4 mg per kg. According to Taiwan's 'Hygienic Standards for Contaminants and Toxins in Food,' the limit for cadmium in mushrooms is 2 mg/kg. Therefore, these truffle shipments must also be returned or destroyed.

The FDA also announced that importers of French truffles will now be subject to 100% batch inspections. Over the past six months, 64 batches of French truffles were declared for import, with 4 failing inspection—a non-compliance rate of 6.3%, all due to excessive cadmium levels.

From June 16, 2025, to July 15, 2025, enhanced sampling inspections (20% to 50%) will be conducted on French truffles at the border.

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Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: Taiwan

Dioxin Detected in Japanese Freshwater Crabs for Second Consecutive Week; 56 kg Rejected and Destroyed

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