Relaxation of Quarantine for US Potatoes Questioned; Food Expert Cites Multiple Checks
Experts clarify that new quarantine rules for imported US processing potatoes are not a relaxation of safety standards, but a shift towards an internationally aligned multi-layered defense system.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 20:56
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 21:32 (35 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 14:32 (17h 0m after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, 22nd) Under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade (ART) in February, the Ministry of Agriculture added "Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of US Potatoes for Processing", which was questioned by some public representatives as relaxing regulations. Food experts believe it involves multiple layers of checks rather than lowering safety standards.
Recently, some representatives raised concerns that previously, if imported potatoes were found sprouting during border quarantine, they were barred from entry; the new rule allows US potatoes imported for processing to be sent directly to processing plants under safety measures even if sprouting, rotting, or mold is found at the border.
The Science Media Center Taiwan invited Chen Tai-yuan, professor and department chair of Food Science at National Taiwan Ocean University, to provide his perspective on the doubts surrounding the new quarantine rules for US imported potatoes, and issued a press release today.
Chen Tai-yuan said the revised regulation is an institutional adjustment and update made by Taiwan in reference to internationally accepted quarantine standards for imported edible potatoes, aiming to align with global standards. This is mainly to meet the demands of the food processing industry, while also addressing the balance between agriculture and trade.
As for external concerns about whether standards are relaxed and if sprouting potatoes will enter the food supply chain, Chen Tai-yuan said the focus of the new rule is not to lower safety but to shift to "multiple checks," with inspections from the source to processing.
Chen explained that first, before export from the US, each batch of potatoes must have an official quarantine certificate confirming no pests or diseases. They must also be washed first to prevent soil from carrying bacteria or pests into Taiwan. Furthermore, to prevent sprouting during transit, the new rules require multiple treatments with sprout inhibitors before storage and shipment. Because once a potato sprouts, it may produce natural toxins (like solanine) that cause human discomfort, so prevention must start from the beginning. All treatment processes must be documented to ensure they are backed by verifiable records rather than just verbal claims.
During export inspection, if potatoes are found sprouting or carrying soil, the batch cannot be exported to Taiwan. In addition, the phytosanitary certificate must clearly note "For Processing Only" and "Sprout Inhibitor Applied" to ensure the usage is restricted, increase transparency, and prevent direct market sales.
Even after passing US checks, they are inspected again at the Taiwan border, covering appearance and safety parameters (like solanine). Upon entering the factory, they undergo another sorting; any sprouting or abnormal potatoes must be discarded whole and cannot be used after cutting the sprouts off.
Overall, Chen Tai-yuan believes the new system shifts from a past single appearance-based judgment (such as sprout length standards) to a multi-layered defense architecture combining "source treatment, document certification, export quarantine, border inspection, and processing-end elimination." This approach is consistent with common risk-oriented management models internationally, focusing on controlling risks before they enter the food chain, rather than relying solely on a single indicator.
For consumers, Chen added, it can be understood that imported processing potatoes undergo multiple inspections and processing procedures before entering food manufacturing, and sprouting or abnormal products cannot be used for processing. The goal of the new system design is to ensure product safety in a more systematic way while balancing international trade and food safety. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150422
Recently, some representatives raised concerns that previously, if imported potatoes were found sprouting during border quarantine, they were barred from entry; the new rule allows US potatoes imported for processing to be sent directly to processing plants under safety measures even if sprouting, rotting, or mold is found at the border.
The Science Media Center Taiwan invited Chen Tai-yuan, professor and department chair of Food Science at National Taiwan Ocean University, to provide his perspective on the doubts surrounding the new quarantine rules for US imported potatoes, and issued a press release today.
Chen Tai-yuan said the revised regulation is an institutional adjustment and update made by Taiwan in reference to internationally accepted quarantine standards for imported edible potatoes, aiming to align with global standards. This is mainly to meet the demands of the food processing industry, while also addressing the balance between agriculture and trade.
As for external concerns about whether standards are relaxed and if sprouting potatoes will enter the food supply chain, Chen Tai-yuan said the focus of the new rule is not to lower safety but to shift to "multiple checks," with inspections from the source to processing.
Chen explained that first, before export from the US, each batch of potatoes must have an official quarantine certificate confirming no pests or diseases. They must also be washed first to prevent soil from carrying bacteria or pests into Taiwan. Furthermore, to prevent sprouting during transit, the new rules require multiple treatments with sprout inhibitors before storage and shipment. Because once a potato sprouts, it may produce natural toxins (like solanine) that cause human discomfort, so prevention must start from the beginning. All treatment processes must be documented to ensure they are backed by verifiable records rather than just verbal claims.
During export inspection, if potatoes are found sprouting or carrying soil, the batch cannot be exported to Taiwan. In addition, the phytosanitary certificate must clearly note "For Processing Only" and "Sprout Inhibitor Applied" to ensure the usage is restricted, increase transparency, and prevent direct market sales.
Even after passing US checks, they are inspected again at the Taiwan border, covering appearance and safety parameters (like solanine). Upon entering the factory, they undergo another sorting; any sprouting or abnormal potatoes must be discarded whole and cannot be used after cutting the sprouts off.
Overall, Chen Tai-yuan believes the new system shifts from a past single appearance-based judgment (such as sprout length standards) to a multi-layered defense architecture combining "source treatment, document certification, export quarantine, border inspection, and processing-end elimination." This approach is consistent with common risk-oriented management models internationally, focusing on controlling risks before they enter the food chain, rather than relying solely on a single indicator.
For consumers, Chen added, it can be understood that imported processing potatoes undergo multiple inspections and processing procedures before entering food manufacturing, and sprouting or abnormal products cannot be used for processing. The goal of the new system design is to ensure product safety in a more systematic way while balancing international trade and food safety. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150422