A tiny country like Taiwan seems to be more serious in its food safety surveillance responsibility than India as reflected by the market monitoring efforts in that country according to a recent report. That the Food Safety Authorities there covered both the big super markets as well as small local market players speak well of the even handed policy not favoring any one in this task of ensuring food safety. Probably the relatively small sample size might invite some criticism but the intention is clear that food products would continue to be under surveillance leaving no scope for malpractices.
"Nearly 30 percent of dried fruit and pickled vegetables on the market do not meet food safety standards, as they contain excessive levels of additives, a Taipei City health official said Monday. The Taipei City Government Department of Health recently conducted random inspections of 97 dried fruit and pickled and dehydrated vegetable products sold in hypermarkets, traditional markets and the Dihua Street Commercial Circle in Taipei City, said Chiang Yu-mei, director of the department's Food and Drug Division. Some 26 of the products, or 26.8 percent, failed to pass the food safety tests, she added. In addition, it was found that 11 of the products were improperly labeled"
While the findings may sound alarmist, what action the government there will take to tackle such a situation will be of interest. Nothing much is known about the effectiveness of deterrent steps already in place in Taiwan which is a democratic country unlike the mainland China.
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