Recent Food Safety Incidents Not Systemic, Individual Negligence, Says FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes that recent multiple food safety incidents are due to individual business management negligence rather than systemic failure, and will strengthen cross-county reporting and inspections. From April 1 to 16 this year, 66 cases of food poisoning were reported, showing an increasing trend compared to previous years. The 'Polam Kopitiam' incident in April 2024 caused an abnormal surge in reported cases. The FDA plans to discuss the introduction of a 'food safety certification' system with experts.
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- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 14:52
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 15:01 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 17:42 (2h 40m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-pei, Taipei, 17th) With multiple food safety incidents recently, from north to south, from markets to schools, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated today that after analyzing, there is no common supply chain among the cases, concluding that they are due to individual business management negligence rather than a systemic failure in food safety. The FDA will strengthen cross-county reporting and inspections to ensure food safety.
Since the Qingming Festival in April this year, multiple food poisoning incidents have occurred domestically. According to statistics on food poisoning data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration over the years, from April 1 to 16 this year, a total of 66 cases were reported; during the same period (April 1 to 16) from 2021 to 2023, 16, 29, and 32 cases were reported respectively, while in 2024, it surged to 220 cases, and then decreased to 50 cases in 2025.
Hsu Chao-kai, head of the FDA's Food Division, told the Central News Agency today that if we look at recent data, the 'Polam Kopitiam' major food safety incident in April 2024 attracted high public attention, leading to an abnormal peak in reported cases as people would report even slight physical discomfort.
Hsu Chao-kai pointed out that if the impact of special events is excluded, there were about 50 cases in the same period last year, and 66 cases so far this year, with not much difference between the two figures.
Regarding the frequent food safety incidents recently, Hsu Chao-kai stated that after preliminary analysis and judgment by the FDA, there is no common supply chain among each individual case, nor are there systemic factors connecting them. The current judgment shows that these cases should be attributed to individual business operators' self-management negligence, rather than a failure in the overall food safety management mechanism.
As for the public's suggestion to establish a 'food safety certification' system, Hsu Chao-kai holds a cautious attitude. He said that this system involves a wide range of aspects, including technician regulations, the deployment of professional technicians, legal liability for certification, and occupational exclusivity. A comprehensive impact assessment must be conducted, and the FDA will invite experts from various fields and stakeholders to jointly discuss its feasibility in the future. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150417
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(Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-pei, Taipei, 17th) With multiple food safety incidents recently, from north to south, from markets to schools, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated today that after analyzing, there is no common supply chain among the cases, concluding that they are due to individual business management negligence rather than a systemic failure in food safety. The FDA will strengthen cross-county reporting and inspections to ensure food safety.
Since the Qingming Festival in April this year, multiple food poisoning incidents have occurred domestically. According to statistics on food poisoning data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration over the years, from April 1 to 16 this year, a total of 66 cases were reported; during the same period (April 1 to 16) from 2021 to 2023, 16, 29, and 32 cases were reported respectively, while in 2024, it surged to 220 cases, and then decreased to 50 cases in 2025.
Hsu Chao-kai, head of the FDA's Food Division, told the Central News Agency today that if we look at recent data, the 'Polam Kopitiam' major food safety incident in April 2024 attracted high public attention, leading to an abnormal peak in reported cases as people would report even slight physical discomfort.
Hsu Chao-kai pointed out that if the impact of special events is excluded, there were about 50 cases in the same period last year, and 66 cases so far this year, with not much difference between the two figures.
Regarding the frequent food safety incidents recently, Hsu Chao-kai stated that after preliminary analysis and judgment by the FDA, there is no common supply chain among each individual case, nor are there systemic factors connecting them. The current judgment shows that these cases should be attributed to individual business operators' self-management negligence, rather than a failure in the overall food safety management mechanism.
As for the public's suggestion to establish a 'food safety certification' system, Hsu Chao-kai holds a cautious attitude. He said that this system involves a wide range of aspects, including technician regulations, the deployment of professional technicians, legal liability for certification, and occupational exclusivity. A comprehensive impact assessment must be conducted, and the FDA will invite experts from various fields and stakeholders to jointly discuss its feasibility in the future. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150417
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
FAQ
How does the FDA evaluate recent food safety incidents?
It evaluates them as due to individual business management negligence, not systemic failure.
What is the 'food safety certification' system?
It is a certification system by food safety experts, and the FDA is considering its feasibility.