Food courier companies face fine of US$6.67 million for order contamination

Taipei, June 4 (CNA) In the event food couriers smoke, fail to keep the food items securely packaged, or demonstrate other behavior that could contaminate the orders, the company they work for can now be fined up to NT$200 million (US$6.67 million), according to a revised rule introduced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that took effect Wednesday.

The FDA on Wednesday promulgated revisions to the Regulations on Good Hygiene Practices for Food, which included a new regulation that bars couriers from smoking, chewing betel nut or gum, or engaging in other behaviors that could contaminate the food.

According to the revisions, delivery containers must be sealed and insulated. Before delivering food, equipment should be inspected to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. During transportation, the food must be fully wrapped, with measures in place to prevent contamination and avoid drastic temperature fluctuations, according to the revised rules.

There must also be controls in place for delivery time and temperature, and personnel must be assigned to manage hygiene, including overseeing the cleanliness of delivery staff and delivery containers, the amendments stipulate.

The revised regulations mandate that food workers preparing ready-to-eat food are prohibited from handling money or other items that may pose a risk of contamination, they said.

Personnel working in food preparation areas must keep their hands clean and are not allowed to grow long nails, apply nail polish or nail art, use nail stickers, or wear accessories, the amendments said.

In addition, cosmetics, medications, or other substances on the skin must not contaminate the products, they said.

The revisions also include changes to regulations on manufacturing processes and quality control, inspection and measurement controls, as well as documentation and record-keeping.

In addition, the scope of application has been expanded from manufacturers to all operators in the food industry.

Liu Fang-ming (劉芳銘), a division chief at the FDA, said when individuals are found to have contravened the aforementioned regulations companies that fail to make the necessary improvements within a prescribed period face a fine of between NT$60,000 and NT$200 million.