Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 10/4/12
Taiwanese health authorities said Wednesday they discovered that pork balls made with “U.S.-sourced meat” contained ractopamine, the country’s Central News Agency reported.
The livestock feed additive is banned in pork imports in Taiwan but allowed in imported beef parts.
Officials gave the news at a press conference held to announce the results of an inspection of foods used by breakfast stores in New Taipei, according to CNA. The report did not identify a U.S.-based supplier.
The pork balls were found to contain 0.4 parts per billion (ppb) of ractopamine. The probe also found pork burger that contained 9.3 ppb of chloramphenicol, an antibiotic also banned in pork in Taiwan, CNA reported.
Taiwan's government this summer amended laws allowing ractopamine in beef imports, a move urged by Washington. The Food and Drug Administration has set a maximum allowable residue level of the drug at 10 parts per billion, according to CNA.
Taipei has stated that a total ban on the drug in imported pork will be maintained.
