China AQSIQ Lifts Curbs on Import Taiwanese Foods

Since Taiwanese authority has effectively controlled the phthalate contamination risk in its food exports to China mainland by recalling and destroying all plasticizer-contaminated foods, the mainland will continue to strengthen its communication and cooperation with Chinese Taiwan over food safety information as per their Cross-Straits Agreement on Food Safety.

Therefore, China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine (AQSIQ) decides to remove import restrictions from Taiwan-made foods upon its Announcement No. 3, 2012 released on January 5.

According to the Announcement, from the release date thereof, China permits resumption of the import of Taiwanese sports beverages, fruit juices, tea beverages, jams, confiture, pregelatinized starches and food additives made no earlier than August 1, 2011 by the companies listed in the annex thereof; similar imports from other Taiwanese companies are not restricted in their dates of manufacture; and such imports may be declared for Chinese inspection/quarantine without the Taiwan-issued inspection reports showing no phthalate substance found therein.

Additionally, China's local inspection-quarantine organs are required to conduct examination and phthalate-kind monitoring on import foods and food additives from Taiwan, preventing the substandard from entry.