According to the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seven shipments of fresh apples from Chile were recently seized at Taiwan's border, after the detection of a banned pesticide. The shipments totaling 138,915 kilograms were imported by three different companies, according to the FDA.
The fruit was confiscated after sample testing on Aug. 18 detected traces of 2,6-Diisopropylnaphthalene, a type of biochemical pesticide used to inhibit the sprouting of potatoes during storage.
FDA section manager Chen Ching-yu stated that the pesticide cannot be used on any agricultural produce other than potatoes. However, even when used on potatoes, the maximum limit is 1.0 ppm, Chen said.
The Chisa-branded apples from Chile were imported by Taichung-based Derek L. Wang Co., New Taipei-based Taiwan Veggies & Fruits Company, and Taipei-based Kingo Fruits Co.
A total of 18 shipments of apples from Chile have been found to be tainted with the same chemical substance over the past six months, he added.
Source: focustaiwan.tw