Taiwan Blocks Japanese Squid Shipment Due to High Cadmium Levels

Food Safety Measures in Action: Taiwan's Border Control Highlights Import Regulations

Taipei, Taiwan – March 25 Taiwan's stringent food safety protocols have once again come to the forefront, as a shipment of Japanese squid, sourced from Hokkaido, was intercepted at the border due to excessive levels of cadmium. The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced the finding in a recent report, underscoring the agency's commitment to protecting public health.

The imported squid contained 2 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of cadmium, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 1 mg/kg for cephalopods, as stipulated by Taiwan's food safety regulations. The affected batch, imported by Gogo Foods Taiwan Co., weighed 290 grams and was either returned to the source or destroyed, preventing it from entering the Taiwanese market.

As a consequence of the violation, Gogo Foods Taiwan Co., having imported three squid shipments in the preceding six months, will now be subject to heightened inspection measures. The TFDA officials emphasized that random inspections will continue for other squid importers. Data from the past six months reveals that only two out of 243 batches originating from the same source and product category had failed inspection.

Beyond the Japanese squid, the TFDA’s border inspection report also highlighted other instances of non-compliance. Several other imported food products, including asparagus from Vietnam and mixed spices from Malaysia, were found to contain excessive pesticide residues. All shipments in violation of regulations have been either rejected at the border or destroyed.