Page 86 - Taiwan Food and Drug Administration 2016 Annual Report

Taiwan Food and Drug Adminstration

d. On June 26, 2015, TFDA received a report from Taitung County Public Health Bureau about
diarrhea amongst people who have consumed raw oysters which was suspected to be a
case of norovirus poisoning. TFDA used molecular biological technology in tandem with gene
sequencing to investigate this case. Minute quantities of suspected viral particles were collected
from the midgut gland of the raw oyster. Test results revealed contamination by noroviruses GI
and GII. After tracing, the oysters were found to be imported from South Korea. Related supplies
were quarantined while specimens were preserved (Figure 2-7-6), successfully containing the
source of the contamination as well as the scope of the food poisoning incident.

Figure 2-7-6 Raw oysters with norovirus contamination and preserved specimen

(5) TFDA Actively Develops Rapid and Precise Specimen Testing Methods to Resolve Public Concerns
a. There was an incident in New Taipei City on May 13, 2015 where vendors used non-food grade
glacial acetic acid for processing sea cucumbers. Vendors illegally applied industrial-grade
glacial acetic acid to soak sea cucumbers so that they would appear like the more expensive heiyu
(black jade) sea cucumbers in order to fetch higher pro?ts. In order to clarify the incident, TFDA
completed headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to evaluate
residual acetic acid of the sea cucumbers within 1 week and implemented training for the testing
techniques on May 29, 2015. The 59 specimens of ?nished products and semi-?nished products
of the sea cucumbers sampled by the local health bureaus were subject to testing. 52 of the
specimens tested positive for the substance. The test results have been notified to the relevant
health bureaus and departments as well as inspection agencies for subsequent processing.
b. In mid-June, news reports and Internet videos showing the immersion of Thailand durian in an
unknown yellow liquid were circulated. It was rumored that the said liquid could be an unknown
pesticide, detergent, or dye. To investigate and clarify this incident, TFDA actively acquired
durian imported from Thailand from various stores. Conspicuous yellow deposits were found
on the husk which seemed to indicate that the durian may have been immersed in an unknown
yellow liquid. After analysis, it was found that the yellow deposits were composed of three
compounds found as the major components of natural turmeric extracts (curcuminoids), namely:
bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and curcumin. Turmeric is a plant of the ginger
family. The yellow powder obtained by grinding the rhizomes is one of the key ingredients of
curry and is also responsible for the yellow color of the curry.

3. Precision Testing of the National Laboratory
TFDA was dedicated to its role as a gatekeeper of food and drugs safety for the general public,
and has been a long-term participant of international pro?ciency testing schemes to demonstrate
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