Potatoes from U.S. intercepted over excessive glycoalkaloids

Taipei, Oct. 6 (CNA) A shipment of potatoes imported from the United States was intercepted after tests found excessive levels of potentially toxic glycoalkaloids, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) said Tuesday.

The 339,580-kilogram shipment contained 248 milligrams of glycoalkaloids per kilogram, exceeding the legal limit of 200 mg/kg, even though the potatoes had not visibly sprouted, Liu Fang-ming (劉芳銘), director of the TFDA's Northern Taiwan Management Center, told reporters.

The importer, Taiwanese snack manufacturer Hwa Yuan Foods, will now face an increased sampling and inspection rate of 20-50 percent for future imports, Liu said.

He added that local health authorities will instruct businesses to test potatoes if a batch has sprouted, while batches without visible sprouts will also be subject to sampling and testing.

Meanwhile, a 133-kilogram shipment of melamine soup spoons imported from China failed dissolution testing and must be returned or destroyed, Liu said.

As a result, the importer, restaurant chain operator Xinwang Catering Enterprise Co., Ltd., will also be subject to an enhanced sampling and testing rate of 20-50 percent, he said.

Other intercepted imports announced by the TFDA on Tuesday included fresh melons and pickled ginger from Japan, fresh white radishes and Chinese yams from China, cod roe paste from France, and fresh Chinese cabbage from Vietnam.

The products were found to contain excessive levels of pesticide residues, preservatives or sweeteners.