Dietary preferences and consumer habits in Taiwan have become increasingly diverse, while food production and distribution systems have grown more complex. In response to these trends, the Executive Yuan approved draft amendments to the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation on July 23, 2026. The proposed changes strengthen food safety management by enhancing source control, process management, incident reporting, quality control and digital governance, with the goal of creating a safer, more transparent and more trustworthy food environment while protecting public health.
Key changes
■ Establish a response mechanism for major food safety incidents: The central government may establish a command center to oversee and coordinate responses to major food safety incidents.
■ Strengthen food businesses' self-management and risk reporting: Designated food businesses must submit food safety monitoring plans to the central authority for approval, and businesses (including their laboratories) must notify the authorities of food safety risks within 24 hours.
■ Improve the food certification system: Third-party certification bodies may conduct on-site sampling and require food businesses to provide samples and self-inspection reports.
■ Enhance fine enforcement: To prevent businesses from transferring assets to evade penalties, the competent authority may apply to the administrative court to temporarily freeze assets without requiring a guarantee.
■ Improve product recall and relisting procedures: Clear requirements are established for recalling non-compliant products, implementing preventive recalls and relisting products.
■ Bolster oversight of online food sales: Clear rules are set out for internet service providers' management obligations and risk control responsibilities. These include requirements to retain records of illegal webpages and related online activity, and to disclose import approval documents for imported food products sold online.