Pork import plan sparks call for risk assessmentPORK FEED ADDITIVE: Food safety experts are concerned over the risk posed by pork products containing ractopamine residue to human healthStaff writer, with CNAThe medical community on Friday called for an assessment of the risk of consuming meat containing ractopamine as Taiwan plans to allow imports of US pork containing the controversial lean meat additive. The commission standard allows up to 10 micrograms per kilogram (mcg/kg) of ractopamine in beef and pork, 40mcg/kg in livers and 90mcg/kg in kidneys. The maximum residue limit was approved by a 69-67 vote, showing the equal support both for and against the standard, Su said, urging the government to publish a risk assessment report on the issue given the lack of hard data. Ractopamine does not treat animal diseases, but saves feed costs and increases profits, Su said. However, higher residue levels are found in internal organs such as the lungs and kidneys, and risk assessments should be conducted if imports of internal organs are allowed, Yang said.

Source: Taipei Times August 29, 2020 15:56 UTC