Health ministry censured over Taiwan oil scandal

The Control Yuan, Taiwan’s parliament, accused the ministry of being slow to pull products off shelves after lard and beef tallow imported from Vietnam was found not to be intended for human consumption.

Though the ministry had official Vietnamese documents stating that the products were meant for animal feed, it took days to complete its own tests to ascertain if the oil was not fit for humans before it reacted. A recall took place 18 days later.

The parliament also called into question the ministry’s customs inspection practices and inconsistencies in its actions. 

Control Yuan member Bau Tzong-ho singled out vice health minister Shiu Ming-neng to “shoulder the main responsibility” for the scandal.

More stories from the Far East...​

Japanese PM pitches TPP to farmers​

Though Japan currently exports around just 5% of its produce, the Trans-Pacific Partnership has the potential of relieving the pressure off its saturated domestic market through increased shipments overseas, said the country’s prime minister.

"We should challenge with courage. It is time to make innovation happen and take the step into the open world​,” Shinzo Abe said in a bid to appease Japanese farmers, who have eyed the agreement with suspicion.

The TPP, if ratified by all 12 Pacific Rim signatories, will cut or eliminate tariffs and quotas for around 40% of the global economy.

Though exports accounted for just one-twentieth of food production last year, Japan's aquatic, agriculture and horticulture exports reached a record-breaking JPY612bn (US$5bn). The government hopes to increase this amount of JPY1tr by 2020, aided by the TPP, though its confirmation by Japanese lawmakers is not a formality.

The deal, however, will more than double America’s non-tariff quota on Japanese beef over 14 years and then remove the tariff altogether. Meanwhile, Vietnam will eliminate its current 11-15% tariff on Japanese fish as soon as TPP takes effect.

One in three N Korean children stunted through malnutrition​

One-third of North Korean children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition.

Damian Kean, the World Food Programme’s regional communications officer for Asia, told Voice of America that vulnerable groups in North Korea could have been hard hit by a severe drought in 2015, which has reduced the yields of staple crops, such as rice and corn. 

The Food and Agriculture Organisation has recently forecast North Korea's crop yields will be reduced by 10-15% this year from their average levels.

The WFP plans to renew an expiration date for North Korea food aid and fundraising to June 2016, and added the UN body is investigating malnutrition in North Korea, with a new nutrition support programme to be launched.

Mannatech launches Cognitate supplement in Korea​

Mannatech, a specialist in nutritional glycobiology which focuses on naturally sourced supplements based on real food technology solutions, has launched its latest brain health product in South Korea. 

Cognitate, which is targeted at families with older members, busy parents and high-achieving students, is designed to help improve memory and protect against age-related cognitive decline. The product will be only available locally for the time being.

“I believe it is exactly the kind of product our market has been waiting for, and I’m sure the crowd’s excitement at the launch will demonstrate their enthusiasm for Cognitate​,” said Patrick Park, Mannatech’s regional director

The product’s formulation helps facilitate the activity of neurotransmitters, which are involved in learning and memory.

“Korea represents a high-achieving population that is making health and wellness a priority, which makes Cognitate a great fit for those seeking to enhance healthy cognitive function for themselves and their family members.”

All-you-can-eat KFC to open in Osaka​

Japan will play home to its first all-you-can-eat Kentucky Fried Chicken buffet in Osaka—the location where the American chain first set up shop 45 years ago.

For 90 minutes in one sitting, diners can help themselves to all the Colonel’s original recipe chicken they can eat, along with around 60 other menu items. 

In addition to standards such as fresh-baked biscuits and coleslaw, the restaurant will also serve rotisserie chicken, soup, salad, and macaroni and cheese made according to a recipe from Colonel Sanders himself. For dessert, there will be a selection of fruit, cake, and other sweets.