Several imported items were seized at Taiwan’s borders for containing excessive residues of pesticide and other contaminants, the country's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Tuesday.
Among the 17 items that failed the safety inspection were six shipments of U.S. cherries from various importers, which amounted to 18.7 tons. One batch of mangosteen from Thailand, weighing 677 kilograms, was also blocked because of excessive pesticide residues.
Among other food products denied entry were a shipment of 312 kilograms of fresh oysters from Canada. They were found to contain excessive levels of the heavy metal cadmium.
Some other items denied entry to Taiwan were dried breadfruit from Indonesia, curry powder from Thailand and spoons from China. All the problematic shipments were either destroyed or returned to their country of origin, the FDA said.