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United Daily News / Reporter Tseng Yi-ching / Taipei Report
The Consumers' Foundation recently conducted a spot check on commercially available red dates, goji berries, ginseng, and angelica, finding that 65% contained pesticide residues, with 19 samples testing positive for sulfur dioxide. Among these, all goji berries were found to have pesticide residues, with 70% containing four to five types of pesticides. Ginseng samples even contained seven types of pesticides banned in Taiwan, making "tonics as toxic as poison."
In July this year, the Consumers' Foundation inspected ten samples each of red dates, goji berries, ginseng, and angelica sold at herbal medicine shops, traditional Chinese medicine stores, fresh supermarkets, and welfare centers, testing for preservatives, sulfur dioxide, and pesticide residues.
Hsieh Tien-jen, chairman of the Consumers' Foundation, stated that people often use ginseng and goji berries to brew tea, while red dates and angelica are frequently added to dishes. However, the regulatory status of these herbs remains ambiguous, as the government has not established relevant testing standards, creating a loophole in food safety.
The investigation revealed that all goji berry samples contained synthetic pyrethroid pesticide residues such as fenvalerate, as well as carbamate fungicides like carbendazim, organic nitrogen, and heterocyclic compound insecticides like acetamiprid and imidacloprid. Among these, 70% contained four to five or more types of pesticide residues. Hsieh Tien-jen pointed out that the majority of goji berries come from China, with 75% containing pesticide residues, urging consumers to be cautious.
Up to 90% of red date samples tested positive for pesticide residues such as fenvalerate or organic nitrogen and heterocyclic compound fungicides like tebuconazole. Ginseng samples showed 70% contamination with organochlorine pesticides such as quintozene, DDT, and alpha-BHC, which have long been banned in Taiwan.
Sulfur dioxide, which has antibacterial and anti-browning effects, is commonly used in various foods. Excessive intake of sulfur dioxide may lead to allergic reactions such as asthma, headaches, or nausea.
The Consumers' Foundation noted that Taiwan currently only sets limits for contaminants in ginseng, while angelica is only regulated for total heavy metal content. No clear standards exist for red dates and goji berries. Consumers are advised to soak these herbs before cooking and leave the pot uncovered during preparation to reduce harmful residue levels.
[2009/10/01 United Daily News] @ http://udn. com/
Source: http://www. udn. com/ 2009/ 10/ 1/ NEWS/ LIFE/ LIF1/ 5169160. shtml
Over 70% of Red Dates and Wolfberries Test Positive for Pesticides
The Consumers' Foundation recently conducted a spot check on commercially available red dates, goji berries, ginseng, and angelica, finding that 65% contained pesticide residues, with 19 samples testing positive for sulfur dioxide. Among these, all goji berries were found to have pesticide residues, with 70% containing four to five types of pesticides. Ginseng samples even contained seven types of pesticides banned in Taiwan, making "tonics as toxic as poison."
In July this year, the Consumers' Foundation inspected ten samples each of red dates, goji berries, ginseng, and angelica sold at herbal medicine shops, traditional Chinese medicine stores, fresh supermarkets, and welfare centers, testing for preservatives, sulfur dioxide, and pesticide residues.
Hsieh Tien-jen, chairman of the Consumers' Foundation, stated that people often use ginseng and goji berries to brew tea, while red dates and angelica are frequently added to dishes. However, the regulatory status of these herbs remains ambiguous, as the government has not established relevant testing standards, creating a loophole in food safety.
The investigation revealed that all goji berry samples contained synthetic pyrethroid pesticide residues such as fenvalerate, as well as carbamate fungicides like carbendazim, organic nitrogen, and heterocyclic compound insecticides like acetamiprid and imidacloprid. Among these, 70% contained four to five or more types of pesticide residues. Hsieh Tien-jen pointed out that the majority of goji berries come from China, with 75% containing pesticide residues, urging consumers to be cautious.
Up to 90% of red date samples tested positive for pesticide residues such as fenvalerate or organic nitrogen and heterocyclic compound fungicides like tebuconazole. Ginseng samples showed 70% contamination with organochlorine pesticides such as quintozene, DDT, and alpha-BHC, which have long been banned in Taiwan.
Sulfur dioxide, which has antibacterial and anti-browning effects, is commonly used in various foods. Excessive intake of sulfur dioxide may lead to allergic reactions such as asthma, headaches, or nausea.
The Consumers' Foundation noted that Taiwan currently only sets limits for contaminants in ginseng, while angelica is only regulated for total heavy metal content. No clear standards exist for red dates and goji berries. Consumers are advised to soak these herbs before cooking and leave the pot uncovered during preparation to reduce harmful residue levels.
[2009/10/01 United Daily News] @ http://udn. com/
Source: http://www. udn. com/ 2009/ 10/ 1/ NEWS/ LIFE/ LIF1/ 5169160. shtml