Premier Jiang Yi-huah today confirmed the principles for a three-tier quality control system that is intended to enhance food safety in Taiwan. The three tiers consist of self-management by food businesses, certification by independent institutions and inspections by the government.
1.Self-management:
The government will require food manufacturers with capital above a certain level to administer self-management and set up their own hygiene safety laboratories, Premier Jiang said. Smaller businesses may outsource their testing needs to professional laboratories. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) said currently 60 laboratories around the country have obtained accreditation and that the number is expected to increase to around 100, which is sufficient to meet the testing needs of companies implementing self-management.
2.Independent certification:
The government will help independent institutions to increase their capabilities and manpower as they conduct food safety certification and check that food businesses are applying good hygienic practices.
3.Government inspection:
The government will add 70 food safety personnel next year to support local authorities in carrying out basic food safety inspections. In addition, the MOHW will begin evaluating local governments’ performances in regulating food safety in their jurisdictions. The Executive Yuan will give priority consideration to the MOHW for increasing the personnel and budget needed to execute the inspections.
According to the MOHW, the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation is the most important basis for Taiwan’s food safety control. To enforce the act effectively, the ministry has not only requested all food manufacturers to register online and establish their own food traceability system, but also mandated the manufacturers to implement the three tiers of quality control per articles 7, 8 and 41 of the act. As manufacturers implement self-management, seek independent certification and undergo government inspections, they will hopefully adhere more closely to food regulations and shoulder more responsibility for food safety, the MOHW said.