Taiwan FDA Finds 67 Violations in Produce Pesticide Residue Monitoring

Taipei, May 21 (CNA) – Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) today released the latest monitoring results for pesticide residues in commercially available fruits and vegetables, revealing that produce sold or used by several popular businesses exceeded legal limits. A total of 67 products were found in violation, with NT$550,000 in fines issued so far. To safeguard consumer safety for fresh produce, the Ministry of Health and Welfare's TFDA, in collaboration with local health bureaus, is executing the "2026 Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Product Pesticide Residue Monitoring Plan." The results for the January-February monitoring period were announced today. Wei Jen-ting, Director of the TFDA's Southern Regional Management Center, told the media that based on different objectives and analysis of historical violation data, a risk-based precision sampling approach was used. This round involved enhanced monitoring of 582 agricultural products, with 515 found to be compliant, resulting in a compliance rate of 88.5%. Regarding the 67 non-compliant products, Wei explained that 42 cases have been referred to agricultural authorities for handling, 16 have been fined a total of NT$550,000 under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, and 9 are currently being processed by local government health bureaus. The violating products were found across major distribution channels throughout Taiwan, including a number of well-known retailers, where excessive pesticide residues were detected. The TFDA reminds the public that when purchasing fruits and vegetables, in addition to choosing seasonal items, they should select products with certifications such as organic, traceability (TAP), or CAS (Certified Agricultural Standards), or buy from reputable vendors to enhance food safety. Furthermore, when washing vegetables, it is recommended to first soak them in running water, then rinse, and finally cut them. For fruits, they should be rinsed with water before peeling and eating. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei)