Taipei City Government to Study Proposal for Certification Mark for Insured Vendors

Central News Agency (Reporter Liu Chien-pang, Taipei, April 21) A Taipei City Councilor discovered that the product liability insurance coverage rate among food stalls in vendor areas is low, and suggested that the city government first provide a dedicated certification mark to already insured vendors, serving as a reference model for other vendors. The Market Administration stated today that it will study the proposal and continue discussions with insurance companies. The Taipei City Council held its regular session for financial and construction department inquiries this afternoon, with officials from the Taipei City Department of Economic Development and other bureaus in attendance. Kuomintang Taipei City Councilor Wu Shih-cheng questioned the issue of increasing food stall vendors' participation in food safety product liability insurance in concentrated vendor areas, demanding that the city government promote and establish a system to provide certification marks for insured vendors. Wu Shih-cheng stated that with rising temperatures, incidents of food poisoning are frequently occurring. The Taipei City Government had previously required food stalls in public retail markets and concentrated vendor areas to purchase product liability insurance with an additional food poisoning clause. However, data shows that the insurance coverage rate for vendors in concentrated vendor areas is only 59%, while almost all vendors in public retail markets are insured. He expressed that the city government's methods for promoting insurance to vendors need review and strengthening. He understood that reasons for vendors in concentrated vendor areas not purchasing insurance include operating on a small scale, and insurance companies requiring labeling of dates and storage methods that differ from vendors' freshly made and sold characteristics. However, he believes the supervising authority, the Market Administration, should review this. Wu Shih-cheng suggested that the city government design a dedicated certification mark to be awarded to vendors who are already insured and meet hygiene standards, so they can serve as a reference model for other vendors, thereby increasing the insurance coverage rate. Alternatively, he suggested studying specific clauses for vendors, such as simplifying claims assessment standards. Huang Hung-kuang, Director of the Taipei City Market Administration, responded that vendors in concentrated areas consider themselves small businesses, which contributes to the overall low insurance coverage rate, and the city government has continuously promoted insurance to vendors. He stated that in the near future, other Taipei City Government departments will be invited to discuss with the Property Insurance Association about the insurance content to be provided to vendors in concentrated areas, and vendors will continue to be encouraged to purchase their own insurance. Regarding the establishment of a certification mark for insured vendors, it will be studied and discussed with city government agencies after the councilor's inquiry, and related proposals are expected to be presented in two months. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150421