Rice suppliers warned to improve inaccurate packaging or face fines(71605)

Taipei, May 28 (CNA) Rice suppliers who are found to have failed to provide accurate labeling information on the varieties used in their packaged rice must recall their products and improve the packaging within two weeks or face punishment, the Agriculture and Food Agency said Friday.
The agency made the statement after the Consumer Protection Commission reported earlier in the day that only two out of 20 bags of rice sampled in a recent random inspection were found to be honestly labeled.
The commission purchased 39 bags of rice from various hypermarkets, supermarkets and traditional stores around Taiwan for labeling checks and asked the Food Industry Research and Development Institute to carry out genetic testing on 20 of the 39 bags to see whether the rice varieties they contained were in line with the packaging information, said the commission's Ko Mei-chin.
The tests found that only two of the 20 bags were found to contain the same varieties as stated on the packaging, while 15 bags did not contain any of the varieties claimed on the labels, according to Ko.
According to Article 11 of the Food Administration Act, packaging must not mislead through inaccuracy or exaggeration.
It also states that the authorities should order suppliers who violate the rules to rectify their conduct before the expiration of the two-week deadline or face fines of between NT$15,000 (US$468) and NT$60,000.
In the event that a supplier fails to make the required changes and has been punished for a total of three times, his certification as a dealer will be rescinded.
Of the 39 bags in the sample, five failed to accurately state the names of the products, seven did not mark product quality specifications or did so inaccurately, and 10 failed to provide correct weight or production date information, according to Ko.
The commission also found that two bags had passed their expiration dates and that one contained insects, which could subject the dealers to fines for violating the Food

Rice suppliers warned to improve inaccurate packaging or face fines

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