TAIPEI, Taiwan – In a move to enhance food safety and traceability, Taiwan is set to mandate that national food chains, including breakfast shops and bakeries, use washed eggs with traceability codes starting in 2025. This policy aims to ensure the public can easily identify the source and farming practices of eggs used in food products.
Government Announcement at Food Safety Forum
On Saturday, the Office of Food Safety confirmed that the new policy would likely apply to national food chains, with specific implementation details currently under discussion. Hsu Fu (許輔), the office’s director, highlighted that the mandate would help consumers and food authorities track the origins of eggs used in common foods like sandwiches, bakery products, and quick breakfast options.
The Traceability System: What It Involves
Since 2022, Taiwan has required all washed eggs supplied to schools, military bases, convenience stores, supermarkets, wholesale retailers, and e-commerce platforms to carry traceability codes. These codes contain two sets of important information:
- Farm Origin: The specific farm where the eggs were laid.
- Packaging Date: The date when the eggs were packaged for distribution.
The traceability system, which has been in place for a few years, is now set to expand, potentially affecting more food establishments as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to increase transparency in food sourcing.
Why This Policy Matters
The primary goal of the traceability code system is to ensure food safety and to provide consumers with accurate information about the food they purchase. It enables authorities to quickly track the source of any contaminated or problematic eggs, helping to prevent widespread health issues.
Additionally, the policy helps ensure that farming practices meet stringent standards. Eggs with traceability codes provide consumers with peace of mind, knowing they are purchasing products that meet safety and quality standards.
Table: Key Details of Taiwan’s Washed Egg Traceability Policy
| Policy Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date for Food Chains | 2025 |
| Targeted Establishments | Breakfast shops, bakeries, and national chains |
| Current Policy Coverage | Schools, military, convenience stores, supermarkets, wholesale retailers, e-commerce platforms |
| Required Information on Code | Farm origin, packaging date |
| Objective | Enhance traceability, food safety, and transparency |
Potential Impact on the Industry
The expansion of the traceability requirement to national food chains represents a significant shift in how eggs are managed and tracked within Taiwan’s food industry. Establishments that use eggs in their food products will need to comply with the new regulations by ensuring they source eggs with traceability codes. This will likely increase the demand for washed eggs with traceability codes across the food supply chain, ensuring that all suppliers adhere to the same standards.
However, food vendors may face challenges in adjusting to the new regulation, such as sourcing eggs from farms that can meet the traceability requirements. While this could lead to increased costs in the short term, the long-term benefits of ensuring higher food safety and transparency are expected to outweigh these initial hurdles.
FAQs:
Q1: What are traceable washed eggs?
A1: Traceable washed eggs are eggs that come with a code, providing information about the farm where they were laid, the packaging date, and other details that make it easy to track the egg’s journey from farm to consumer.
Q2: Which businesses will be affected by the new traceability policy?
A2: Starting in 2025, national food chains, including breakfast shops, bakeries, and other similar establishments, will be required to use eggs with traceability codes. The policy will expand beyond the existing mandates for schools, supermarkets, and military bases.
Q3: How does the traceability code system work?
A3: The traceability system involves a code on each washed egg, which provides details about the egg’s farm origin and packaging date. This allows consumers and authorities to track the egg’s journey and verify its source.
Q4: Why is this policy being introduced?
A4: The policy is designed to improve food safety, provide consumer transparency, and ensure that eggs are sourced from farms with safe and ethical practices. It also helps authorities track the source of any food safety issues, should they arise.
Q5: When will the new policy come into effect?
A5: The new policy, requiring national food chains to use traceable eggs, will go into effect in 2025. However, the government has already mandated traceability for other sectors such as schools and convenience stores since 2022.
