title: The public health threat of phthalate-tainted foodstuffs in Taiwan: the policies the government implemented and the lessons we learned.
abstract: A major incident of phthalate-contaminated foodstuffs happened in Taiwan between April and July, 2011. Phthalates were deliberately added to foodstuffs as a substitute of emulsifier. We describe the course of this incident, government response and management of the crisis, and its future implications. Five major food categories, including sports drinks, fruit beverages, tea drinks, fruit jam or jelly, and health food or supplements in tablet or powder form, were contaminated with Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and/or Di-isononyl phthalate. At least 900 different food products were affected. Like the scandal of melamine-tainted infant formula, this event represents another large deliberate food contamination incident. It is important to be reminded that many governments in developing countries make rapid economic growth as their first priority, often compromising environmental safety and public health. The administration leaders need to find a balance between economic expansion and health and environmental safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 960021@ms.kmuh.org.tw
authors.forename: Ming-Tsang
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chia-Fang
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jiunn-Ren
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Bai-Hsiun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Eric K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mei-Chyn
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Ching-Kuan
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chi-Kung
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005504:Food Analysis; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006076:Government; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D057766:Policy; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C032279:phthalic acid