To avoid people from buying and importing illicit pork products from African swine fever (ASF) endemic regions through online shopping platforms by accident, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai ordained the collaboration of the Police Department and Department of Health (DOH) for a special inspection action on online sales of pork-related products, waging a comprehensive nation-wide scrutiny of major e-commerce platforms, online shopping websites, and social media platforms to check if illicit pork products are sold electronically. Until yesterday (October 27), a total of 578 online pork products-related advertisements were found. No violation has been identified by now.
This special inspection action was targeted at commonly used online platforms including e-commerce platforms, group buying websites, and social media platforms, said Kaohsiung City Government. In particular, all pork-related products were scrutinized to see if they came from ASF countries or regions. Product types surveyed included fresh, frozen, and refrigerated pork, pig offal, pork floss, pork jerky, sausages, instant noodles that contain pork, and processed food such as pork buns. In addition, products were also checked for full labeling in traditional Chinese language in accordance with the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation. The action aimed at identifying pork products from ASF endemic regions and blocking the spread of African swine fever.
The two-day scrutiny of relevant advertisements has not found any illicit pork sources, revealed Kaohsiung City Government. The Police Department has persistently assisted in daily monitoring and inspection. If any violation is identified, it will be forwarded to DOH for further investigation and punitive action pursuant to the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation. If products are imported from forbidden countries, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance will be notified.
Kaohsiung City Government reminded citizens that pork products must be lawfully declared and a quarantine pass must be obtained before importation. People are urged not to bring (or import) unauthorized products from abroad for online sales to avoid infraction and penalty, and should avoid buying pork products online from unidentified sources.