The “Regulations of Recall and Destruction for Food and Related Products” (hereinafter the “Regulations”) were promulgated pursuant to Article 52, Paragraph 3 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation. The Regulations were originally issued on February 16, 2012, consisting of 15 articles in total. They set out the procedures for the recall and destruction of products—such as food, food additives, food utensils, food containers or packaging, and food detergents—that are required to be recalled or destroyed based on inspection or testing results.

On February 3, 2026, in order to strengthen food business operators’ ability to promptly recall problematic products and reinforce their internal self-management mechanisms—thereby ensuring effective management of product hygiene and safety—the Ministry of Health and Welfare promulgated amendments to the Regulations. The amended provisions took effect on the date of promulgation.

The key amendments are summarized as follows:

I. Revision and Addition of Requirements for Responsible Manufacturers to Establish a Standing Task Group

The amendments expressly require responsible manufacturers to establish a standing task group responsible for: (1) initiating recall and destruction procedures; (2) formulating, submitting for record, and implementing product recall and destruction plans (as provided in Article 3); and (3) preparing recall progress reports (as provided in Article 5). In addition, the task group must appoint one convener who, upon the occurrence of circumstances requiring a product recall, will convene relevant personnel to deliberate on the initiation and implementation of the recall and destruction procedures.

II. Revision and Addition of Required Contents and Retention Method for Recall and Destruction Plans

To implement recall and destruction operations, responsible manufacturers are now required to prepare a product recall and destruction plan. The plan must include details related to the recalled products, such as the product name, packaging, form, serial or batch numbers, storage location, and other recall-related information. The plan must be retained in written or electronic form.

III. Revision and Addition of Methods and Frequency for Reporting Recall Progress

The information required to be included in recall progress reports submitted by responsible manufacturers has been revised and incorporated into Article 5 of the Regulations. However, in cases involving non-compliant labeling under Article 52, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 3 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, responsible manufacturers must report recall progress according to the frequency and method designated by the local competent authority. Such reporting may include the use of electronic systems designated by the central competent authority.

IV. Revision and Addition of Matters Requiring Local Competent Authorities to Supervise the Responsible Manufacturers’ Recall and Destruction Operations

Local competent authorities are required to supervise the execution of recall and destruction operations by responsible manufacturers. Such supervision includes: (1) designating the frequency and method by which responsible manufacturers must report recall progress; (2) verifying the initiation of recall procedures by responsible manufacturers; (3) reviewing the implementation of the recall plan by responsible manufacturers prescribed under Article 3 and verifying the accuracy of recall progress reports under Article 5; (4) confirming that responsible manufacturers have completed the final disposal of recalled products; and (5) other matters designated by the central competent authority.

V. Other Key Amendments and Additions

1. Addition: Recalled products and their inventory must be clearly labeled and effectively segregated from other raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products;

2. Addition: Documents served by the competent authority on responsible manufacturers or their agents may first be transmitted electronically; and

3. Addition: Records relating to recall and destruction operations must be retained for at least five years.

More than ten years have passed since the previous amendment to these regulations. The latest revisions introduce a number of new obligations for responsible manufacturers regarding the recall and destruction of food, food additives, food utensils, food containers or packaging, and food detergents. Businesses in relevant sectors should therefore pay close attention to these regulatory updates.

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Reference:

Ministry of Health and Welfare, Amendments to the Regulations of Recall and Destruction for Food and Related Products, https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx?cid=3&id=31409.