Chen Chun-chi: If Sprouted Potatoes Are Found in Border Inspections, Each Item Will Be Checked
Minister of Agriculture Chen Chun-chi announced that if sprouted potatoes are discovered during border inspections of processed potatoes imported from the US, and an improvement plan is submitted and approved, the entire batch will be inspected item by item at a designated processing plant. This clarification was made in response to questions from opposition lawmakers, detailing Premier Cho Jung-tai's commitment to 'item-by-item inspection' for food safety.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 11:54
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 12:01 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 14:51 (2h 50m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Ching-yin, Taipei, 24th) The import quarantine standards for processed potatoes imported from the United States have recently garnered much attention. Minister of Agriculture Chen Chun-chi stated today that if sprouted potatoes are found during border and customs cabinet inspections, and after the operator submits an improvement plan which is approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, the entire cabinet of potatoes will be sent to a designated processing plant for item-by-item inspection.
Premier Cho Jung-tai and relevant ministry heads went to the Legislative Yuan today to deliver a policy report and answer interpellations, and Chen Chun-chi made the above statement during an interview before the meeting.
Regarding opposition lawmakers' focus on Premier Cho Jung-tai's statement of 'item-by-item inspection,' Chen Chun-chi said that if sprouted potatoes are found during border and customs cabinet inspections, and after the operator submits an improvement plan which is approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, the entire cabinet of potatoes will be sent to a designated processing plant for item-by-item inspection.
Chen Chun-chi said that under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, only after the operator inspects according to relevant operating procedures will a qualified quarantine certificate be issued. Therefore, from customs sealing the cabinet to the designated processing plant, it is all part of the border inspection. Only after obtaining a qualified quarantine certificate can it enter the processing production line. (Editor: Su Chih-chung) 1150424
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Ching-yin, Taipei, 24th) The import quarantine standards for processed potatoes imported from the United States have recently garnered much attention. Minister of Agriculture Chen Chun-chi stated today that if sprouted potatoes are found during border and customs cabinet inspections, and after the operator submits an improvement plan which is approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, the entire cabinet of potatoes will be sent to a designated processing plant for item-by-item inspection.
Premier Cho Jung-tai and relevant ministry heads went to the Legislative Yuan today to deliver a policy report and answer interpellations, and Chen Chun-chi made the above statement during an interview before the meeting.
Regarding opposition lawmakers' focus on Premier Cho Jung-tai's statement of 'item-by-item inspection,' Chen Chun-chi said that if sprouted potatoes are found during border and customs cabinet inspections, and after the operator submits an improvement plan which is approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, the entire cabinet of potatoes will be sent to a designated processing plant for item-by-item inspection.
Chen Chun-chi said that under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, only after the operator inspects according to relevant operating procedures will a qualified quarantine certificate be issued. Therefore, from customs sealing the cabinet to the designated processing plant, it is all part of the border inspection. Only after obtaining a qualified quarantine certificate can it enter the processing production line. (Editor: Su Chih-chung) 1150424