Taipei orders all suspect products taken off shelves

Taiwanese authorities have ordered all milk products containing mainland-made dairy ingredients and vegetable-based proteins be pulled off store shelves.

The move triggered an angry outcry from local firms, but also drew sharp criticism from consumers complaining about the failure of President Ma Ying-jeou's government to take swifter action to safeguard public health.

'Products with mainland milk powder and vegetable-based proteins are required to be pulled from shelves by 10pm,' Department of Health deputy director general Sung Yen-jen said yesterday.

He said the products would only be allowed back on sale after inspections and the issuance of certificates showing they were free of melamine.

Products testing positive for melamine would be confiscated and destroyed, he said, adding that the decision was the conclusion of a cross-department meeting on Tuesday night aimed at safeguarding the rights and health of consumers.

Health officials said those failing to suspend sales of the products pending inspection would be fined between NT$30,000 (HK$7,296) and NT$150,000, and stores that failed to suspend sales of tainted products would be fined up to NT$600,000.

The decision sparked protests from store operators over lost business and possible damage to their reputations.