Chloramphenicol in meatballs may be related to low-yield breeding pigs

In response to the discovery of chloramphenicol residues in commercially available meatballs by health authorities, the Council of Agriculture recently took the initiative to dispatch personnel to the pig farms where the meat was sourced to complete visits and blood tests, and the results showed that no chloramphenicol residues were detected. However, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine does not rule out that the source of the problematic meat may be low-yield breeding pigs or cheaper imported pork. Therefore, in order to remedy the situation, it is planning to amend the law to require low-yield breeding pig operators to attach inspection certificates before selling meat.

The meatballs sold on the market were found to contain chloramphenicol residues by health authorities, and the Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine is planning to amend the law to remedy the situation. (Photography by Luo Huiwen)

Huang Guoqing, deputy director of the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, pointed out that commercially available meatballs were found to contain chloramphenicol residues in the entire province after inspection by health authorities. Although there have been a few sporadic cases, according to regulations, pork inspections should contain no drug residues. Therefore, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine has taken the initiative to conduct random inspections. A total of 95 pig farms in the province have been completed, and no violations have been found.

The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine also invited the competent authorities of each municipality, county (city), meat markets and meat processing industry to jointly discuss strengthening the prevention measures against chloramphenicol, requiring those who sell oligotrophic breeding pigs to attach proof of origin from the livestock farm, and considering amending the law to take disciplinary measures against those who do not provide proof of origin to facilitate source tracking, and to impose penalties in accordance with the law on livestock farmers found to have used drugs in violation of regulations, and to strengthen random inspections.

In addition, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine will strengthen the management of chloramphenicol manufacturing and sales, such as limiting the packaging of preparations, strengthening the inspection of the flow of raw materials and finished products, and cooperating with the procuratorate, police and investigative agencies to investigate the illegal sale and use of chloramphenicol to prevent it from being used in animals for food. We will also strengthen cooperation with health authorities. In addition to punishing illegal food businesses in accordance with the Food Sanitation Management Act, we will also provide health authorities with accurate livestock farm information and trace it back to the livestock farms to investigate and punish them in accordance with the Animal Drug Management Act.

Huang Guoqing emphasized that according to the law, livestock farmers are not allowed to use animal drugs of unknown origin or unapproved drugs to prevent or treat animal diseases or regulate physiological functions. If caught using the drugs illegally, they may be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000. If they commit the same offense again within one year, they may be fined between NT$250,000 and NT$1.25 million. Livestock farmers are advised to use drugs legally to avoid breaking the law and being punished.