Taiwan amended food hygiene management law

Responding to the outside world's request to severely punish the black-hearted food traders, Taiwan’s legislature recently amended some provisions of the “Food Hygiene Management Law,” and prosecuted the unscrupulous traders who caused the death of the “problem foods” by life imprisonment and a massive fine of tens of thousands of dollars.

This provision stipulates that food adulteration, imitation, or the addition of additives that have not been approved by the competent authority shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than three years, imprisonment, or a fine of 8 million yuan (New Taiwan dollar, the same below). If it is harmful to human health, it will face imprisonment of up to seven years, criminal detention, or a subsidy of up to 10 million yuan. If a severely injured person is sentenced to more than three years and ten years’ imprisonment, he or she may be fined up to 15 million yuan. If a person is killed, he may be sentenced to life imprisonment or imprisonment for more than seven years and a fine of up to RMB 20 million.

In addition, the ordinance also passed many articles to instruct knowledgeable manufacturers to add illegal additives to food, and they can “teach offenders” to conduct investigations. The employers must not dismiss employees who expose or testify against the employer’s illegal activities. In the event of a dismissal or salary reduction, the participating workers may be commuted or exempted if they surrender to help solve the case.