Scan the QR Code for the results of inspection and random sampling of meat products
The Department of Health, Taipei City Government (DOH) announces 6 new policies in 2021 Taipei Food Safety Self-Management Principles for pork from the source to sales end. To offer consumers more transparent information, starting from New Year’s Day, as well as 11 fresh pork product sales channels in Taipei being guided to establish “Ractopamine-free section”. A “Meat Product Section” has also been established on the Food Tracer TAIPEI platform , in which the results of labelling inspection and random testing are displayed for meat products that are sold. From now on, restaurants, eateries and other operators can provide place of origin documentation such as priority inspection of place of origin labelling request form, completing pork (beef) onsite place of origin labelling and preparing proof of source for checking. The Department of Health (DOH), Taipei City Government will issue a Labeling Inspection Result QR Code to operators who pass inspection; when dining or buying products, consumers can scan the QR Code with a smart phone to find the results of inspection and random testing for their reference.
DOH commissioner Shier-chieg Huang said that, with the three themes of Citizen Participation, Safe Eating Out and Information Transparency, in March every year the Taipei Food Safety Self-Management Principles for Food Safety’s new policies are announced, stage by stage bringing operators of each category and scale under management. To date 42 announcements have been made and 44 industry types made subject to management, with the aim of allowing people to eat out without worry. In 2021, DOH will continue to stand guard over food hygiene for citizens. In response to opening up the import of pork containing Ractopamine and the introduction of a new food labelling system on New Year’s Day, the emphasis this year will be on management of meat products, including announcing the establishment of “ractopamine-freesections” by chain supermarkets, supermarkets and hypermarkets that sell loose fresh pork and mandatory self-inspection by meat product importers in January and disclosure of meat place of origin information by imported meat product operators in July. Also, in June it will be announced that chain ice product operators should carry out regular inspection and zoned management and, in July and September, respectively, that university cafeteria and chain bakeries are required to apply for food service hygiene management grade. 6 new policies will be introduced in all, intended to create an environment in which food is safe and hygienic.
The DOH further explained that to provide consumers with transparent information, regarding the pork sales end, from New Year’s Day checking of the source labelling of 2,416 pork selling operations has been completed. Also, according to the Taipei Food Safety Self-Management Principles, “Establishing of ractopamine-free sections by chain supermarkets, supermarkets and hypermarkets” was announced on New Year’s Day. To date, 212 outlets of 11 channels selling fresh pork have established such areas; going forward, targeting source end, in July it will be announced that meat importers are required to carry out ingredients’ registration and the Food Tracer TAIPEI platform will have the Imported Meat Section added under the “Meat Product Section” so that consumers can visit the website: https://foodtracer.taipei. gov.tw/Front/Meat to check. From now, the DOH will issue the Label Inspection QR Code to operators that pass inspection that can be posted in the place of business for checking by consumers. If operators have the need for priority inspection, they can go to the special area, read the points for attention and then complete a Voluntary Priority Inspection of Meat Place of Origin Request and DOH will include them on the priority inspection list. Other new policies include the need for Chain Ice Product Operators to check the sales area and storage area ingredients situation on a regular basis in June and the announcement that university cafeteria and chain bakeries are required to apply for food service hygiene management grading in July and September, respectively.
DOH will continue to use the Taipei Food Safety Self-Management Principles to bring various types of high risk and high concern operators under management on a batch and targeted basis while, at the same time, implementing inspection and random testing projects for various food types to allow people to eat out without worry; the results of inspection and random testing of fruit, vegetables, aquatic produce and meat etc. will also be announced on the Food and Drug Inspection Map Taipei (iMAP) and on the Food Tracer TAIPEI platform . People can obtain dynamic information about food safety inspection in Taipei City at any time. If citizens want more food safety information or have a food safety and hygiene related questions, they can call the 1999 citizens hotline (people outside of Taipei City should call 02-27208889) extension 7108 or go to the DOH website at https://health.gov.taipei to find related information.