1. MOA Tracks Soybean Meal Supply Chain to Ensure Livestock Product Safety Amid Chung Lien Oil Incident

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) said on July 9 that it is closely monitoring the distribution of soybean meal, a byproduct of soybean oil production used as animal feed, following the Chung Lien oil incident. The MOA has coordinated with the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) to track relevant soybean meal flows based on official information and will continue risk management based on scientific evidence. The MOA explained that imported soybeans in Taiwan are mainly processed for oil production, with soybean meal used as a feed ingredient. The Livestock Research Institute noted that soybean meal contains less than 2% oil after processing, and because benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is fat-soluble, potential residues are considered extremely low. No specific BaP standards for feed-grade soybean meal have been set in Taiwan or the European Union.The MOA emphasized that it will continue cooperating with relevant agencies to monitor the situation and safeguard livestock product safety.

2.Taiwan Fisheries Agency and Taiwan Railways Launch "Dual-Entrée" Romantic Bento

To celebrate the Qixi Festival, the Fisheries Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture partnered with Taiwan Railways Corporation (TRA) to launch the limited-edition “Eel of Love, Tilapia Delight” bento on July 7. Featuring Taiwanese eel and Taiwan tilapia as dual main dishes, the NT$199 bento also includes domestic rice, shiitake mushrooms and seasonal vegetables. It will be available at selected TRA bento shops through August 23. Minister of Agriculture Chen Chun-chi said TRA bentos are an iconic part of Taiwan’s food culture, with annual sales of around 10 million boxes. The collaboration aims to promote domestic seafood by bringing locally produced aquatic products into everyday meals. Fisheries Agency Director-General Wang Mao-cheng noted that Taiwan’s seafood is produced and processed locally, ensuring freshness while supporting sustainable fisheries. The campaign also includes discounts and prize activities, with domestic seafood available through the “Buy Fish” platform.