Alert to Importers and Retailers Regarding Contamination of Certain Food and Beverages from Taiwan with Prohibited Emulsifier Ingredients

OTTAWA, May 31, 2011 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is alerting domestic importers and retailers of certain food and beverages, particularly juices, sport and energy beverages and jams, imported from Taiwan that the authorities of Taiwan have initiated recalls of certain brands of these products.

The products of concern were produced with emulsifers manufactured by the Yu Shen Chemical Co. or the Pin Han Perfumery Co. that are contaminated with a prohibited ingredient, DEHP (Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate) and/or other members of the phthalate family of compounds. These chemicals are commonly used for various purposes, such as plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride type plastics. While minute quantities of DEHP may be detected in certain food products as a result of leaching from plastic containers, the Taiwanese authorities  have recently detected DEHP in various beverages at levels up to 600 ppm. It is believed to have been added as a low-cost emulsifier.

The use of DEHP as a food additive in Canada is prohibited under the Food and Drugs Regulations. It is recognized as having significant reproductive and other negative health effects associated with chronic exposure. DEHP is also identified as a toxic substance on Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. There are likely no acute toxic effects at the levels currently being found, which are being reported as 2.5 to 34 mg/kg (ppm). Further information on this compound is available from Health Canada at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/_2011/2011_07fs-eng.php

The full scope of the problem is still under investigation. The emulsifiers may have been provided to food manufacturers in other countries as well. At present, the affected products and brands include Possmei & Chuan Jia Concentrated Juice & Jam Products being recalled by the Kuo Hua Trading Company Ltd. It is expected that additional products will soon be identified. A Class 3 recall is currently in effect for these products. Details can be found on the CFIA Website at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/scripts/database/recarapp_refsubmit.asp?lang=e&ref=6427

Additional details from the Department of Health in Taiwan are available at: http://www.fda.gov.tw/eng/news_list.aspx?time=1&classifysn=118

Importers and retailers, as well as food service companies, are advised to check with their suppliers of juices, sport and energy, as well as fluid tea beverages, jams and similar products from Taiwan that may contain emulsifiers to determine if they have been identified for recall in Taiwan. Should importers or retailers become aware of any recall requests from manufacturers or exporters for Taiwanese products under their control in Canada, please contact your local CFIA office.

Food manufacturers should also review their supply chains to determine if they are sourcing emulsifiers that may be implicated in the Taiwanese recalls. If products have been manufactured in Canada using such emulsifiers, please contact your local CFIA office.

The CFIA is actively working with Health Canada and international food safety partners to determine the identity of affected products in the Canadian market. Affected products will be subject to recall and posted to the CFIA website. The CFIA will provide additional information on this issue to importers and retailers as it becomes available.

Reference Material

• Main Page – Phthalates in Certain Food and Beverage Products from Taiwan