China to destroy 6.7 metric tons ractopamine-fed US beef

The Taipei City government's Department of Environmental Protection will burn 6.771 metric tons of U.S. beef containing the feed additive ractopamine to ensure that the contaminated meat does not reach Chinese consumers, according to reports. The beef, confiscated from Taipei-based beef importer Shusen Corp., is the first batch of U.S. beef containing the banned feed additive to be destroyed in wake of recent inspections.

The Taipei City government's Department of Environmental Protection will burn 6.771 metric tons of U.S. beef containing the feed additive ractopamine to ensure that the contaminated meat does not reach Chinese consumers, according to reports.

The beef, confiscated from Taipei-based beef importer Shusen Corp., is the first batch of U.S. beef containing the banned feed additive to be destroyed in wake of recent inspections. Shusen has been fined NT$60,000 (US$2,030) for importing and selling meat products containing ractopamine, and the Department of Health will continue to conduct spot checks on the company and others while the government finalizes its decision on the additive's ban.

Currently, there is a zero-tolerance policy in place on beef containing ractopamine, with imports testing positive for the additive subject to fines of between NT$60,000 and NT$6 million (US$203,031). There is a current dispute, however, over the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou’s plan to partially lift the ban on ractopamine in U.S. beef products.

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