Page 76 - 2017食品藥物管理署年報(英文版)

2017 Taiwan Food and Drug Administration Annual Report

Section 2. Enhancing Local Testing Proficiency and Quality

Current Status

To enhance testing capacities of local government and health bureaus, all local health
bureaus in Taiwan had joined the “nation-wide Regional Joint Testing Specialization
System of Health Bureaus and Departments” since 2010. TFDA also continues
purchasing precision instruments and equipment to enhance test technology and capacity
of local government and health bureaus.

Policies and Outcomes

Enhance local testing capacities and quality
Integrate testing resources, provide reimbursement, supervise inspections to
effectively enhance local testing efficiency and quality and construct a food safety
laboratory network.
(1) Subsidizing instruments and equipment, and enhancing capacity of the Lab testing
Network
TFDA provided support for acquiring precision instruments and standard samples for

local health bureaus. Testing resources and special regional requirements of the health
bureaus and departments were also referenced to establish specialized testing programs
in health bureaus and departments in northern, central, southern, municipal, and the
nation-wide “Regional Joint Testing Specialization System of Health Bureaus and
Departments”.

(2) Results of joint regional specialization
According to the “List of Specialized Food Sanitation Testing in Central and Local
Agencies”, average independent testing capacity of local health bureaus and departments

prior to the subsidies was 35%. This figure was raised to an average of 85% after the
subsidies. When compared with 2015, additional “Independent Tests” introduced in 2016
included tests for “food adulteration”, “Bormate in packed drinking water” and “Food
poisoning-related bacteria”.

(3) Laboratory accreditation
To ensure laboratory testing quality of local health bureaus, TFDA accredited 755

laboratory test items in 22 health bureaus and departments throughout Taiwan by 2016.

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