Gov't to reclassify DEHP, DINP as Class I substances

June 10, 2011 The China Post news  Premier Wu Den-yih yesterday told the Department of Health (DOH) to complete its inspection of foodstuffs and beverages being sold on the market by the end of this week. At an Executive Yuan meeting, Wu told the DOH that it had the rest of this week to finish checking the five major categories of foodstuffs and beverages for plasticizer contamination throughout the country. All retailers, from warehouse retailers to street stands and vending machines, including those in backwater areas, must be inspected to ensure the safety of all foodstuffs and beverages "on store shelves," Wu was quoted as saying. Wu also apologized to the entire nation for the government's failure to foresee the problem, while calling for all-out efforts to bring a quick end to the issue as a means of reassuring the people.

Other Agencies Also Mobilized  Wu told the Ministry of Justice to be careful not to let the culprits get away with illegal activity by seizing their sales records and other relevant documents before evidence can be destroyed. Investigators and prosecutors should work fast to determine the circulation routes of contaminated goods and assess the culprits' criminal and civil liabilities to facilitate future damage claims, Wu continued. While promising to ask various agencies to study ways of helping victims to sue for damages, Wu called businesses which have bought materials laced with plasticizers "accomplices," rather than victims. Contaminated products must be carefully handled and be kept under close watch, Wu said, adding that the DOH and the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) will make sure they will not be sold again by destroying them publicly and in close collaboration with counties and cities. On the question of quality certification, Wu indicated that the Certified Agricultural Standards (CAS) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) systems will not be replaced anytime soon, but manufacturers' active participation in the scheme will be encouraged. CAS and GMP labels, however, will not be accorded until after rigorous inspections and examinations, Wu said. The manufacture of additives was singled out for stricter regulation. Wu said he had asked DOH and EPA to exercise tighter control over food manufacturers and to encourage manufacturers of food additives to apply for GMP certification, while calling for the application of a food safety history system on "high-risk" products. To win back the confidence of consumers, Wu also told the DOH and EPA to review the country's toxicants classification system. Wu is slated to deliver a report on the food safety crisis and answer queries in an interpellation session at the Legislature today.

Plasticizers Reclassified  Eight plasticizers will be put under stricter government control, the EPA announced yesterday. At a press conference, EPA announced DEHP, DNOP, DBP, BBP, DIDP, DINP, DMP, DEP will be reclassified as Class I or Class II toxins, depending on their toxicity, while other plasticizers will be put under Class IV.

More Pharmaceuticals Recalled  Five pharmaceutical makers yesterday voluntarily withdrew 12 products that may or may not be contaminated, according to Kang Jan-jou (康照洲), director-general of the DOH's Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The five companies are Taiwan Panbiotic Laboratories Co., Ltd. (台灣汎生製藥廠), China Chemical & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (中化製藥), Purzer Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (瑞安), San Nang Chemical Co., Ltd. (三能化學股份有限公司) and Genuine Chemical Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (人人化學製藥股份有限公司). Their action was prompted by a discovery that some of their raw materials were sourced from a supplier that purchases materials from Yu Shen (昱伸公司). King, however, did not disclose the names of the drugs.