Sweet Deception: Chinese Wax Bottles Containing Undeclared Sugar Raise FDA’s Red Flag, Fines of Up to $3 Million Loom
2024/9/18 17:17
(Updated at 9/18 18:04)
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Wax Bottle Candies Raise Food Safety Concerns in Taiwan
(Central News Agency reporter Shen Peiyao, Taipei, 18) Wax bottle candies have become popular in Chinese online communities and have recently entered the Taiwanese market, raising food safety concerns. The Food and Drug Administration reminds that if there is no import inspection record of wax bottling sugar, illegal sales may be punished with a fine of up to NT$3 million.
The colorful snack ”wax bottle candy” has recently become popular on China’s online social platforms and has been widely welcomed by adults and children. However, the food is advertised as “handmade” and is made “with wax.” Syrup or jam is covered in the middle, but there is no relevant label on the outer packaging, or even bulk, and the actual source is unknown.
Recently, this candy has quietly flowed onto Taiwan’s online shopping platforms, raising food safety concerns. Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Jinji asked the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare to understand that importing and selling without review and approval is illegal.
Lin Jinfu, deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration, said that according to the provisions of the Food Safety and Hygiene Management Law, food sold in the market and imported food should first be inspected by the Food and Drug Administration and imported food at the border. The Food and Drug Administration will take action, and only after passing the inspection can it be input.
Lin Jinfu said that the Inspection and Border Inspection System (IFI) found no inspection records related to wax bottle candies currently sold in the Taiwan market that violated the provisions of the Food Safety Law. According to the law, fines can range from NT$30,000 to NT$3 million.
She specifically reminds that wax bottle candies may contain dyes and industrial waxes that have not been inspected by the Food and Drug Administration. If you suspect that food is violating food safety laws, including wax bottle candy, you can report it to your local health bureau or food safety hotline at 1919. The Food and Drug Administration and the local health bureau will receive the report and visit immediately.