products

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the government plans to add Sudan dyes
to its routine post-market inspections and tighten controls on cosmetic
products.

The statement comes after the banned colorants were detected for the first
time in cosmetic items sold domestically.

According to Shih, the expanded inspections are aimed at preventing similar
incidents for happening in the future.

Shih says the health ministry will also fully implement mandatory Good
Manufacturing Practice requirements for all cosmetics manufacturers starting
from July 1 next year - which will strengthening oversight of production
processes.

That means all cosmetic products must complete Product Information File
registration before they can be legally sold.

The issue came to light after authorities traced problematic Chinese cosmetic
products sold online and found that Taiwanese importer Eho had sourced raw
materials from Singapore that contained Sudan dyes.

Those materials were supplied to 14 downstream companies, affecting 20
products that have since been pulled from store shelves.

The importer has been fined 5-million N-T and the case has also been referred
to prosecutors for possible further action.