Taipei: Over 13,000 packs of frozen tilapia fillets containing a banned veterinary drug have been sold across Taiwan, according to a statement from supermarket chain PX Mart. The revelation came after health authorities discovered traces of enrofloxacin, a prohibited substance for aquatic products, in a batch of the fillets.

According to Focus Taiwan, PX Mart reported that out of 15,624 tainted packs purchased by their outlets, 13,793 have been sold while 1,831 have been recalled. The Yunlin County Public Health Bureau provided these figures, emphasizing the need for consumer awareness regarding the contamination. While enrofloxacin is approved for animal use by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, it is not sanctioned for use in aquatic products.

The issue surfaced when the Kaohsiung City health department announced a recall order on November 27 for the “Taiwan tilapia fillets” batch, which carries an expiration date of September 16, 2027. Samples tested in October revealed the presence of 0.028 parts per million (ppm) of enrofloxacin, surpassing the “not detected” standard.

The Kaohsiung department ordered PX Mart to immediately remove and recall the affected batch, urging proactive consumer notification. The contaminated fish was sourced from Yunlin County, where the involved fish farmer, surnamed Hsu, claimed he had never used enrofloxacin, maintaining that his products undergo testing prior to shipment.

Fisheries Agency Deputy Director-General Miao Zi-chang stated that local authorities have been tasked with sampling the relevant fish ponds, with results expected within a week. Shipments from those ponds have been halted as a precautionary measure. Miao acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the contamination, noting the thorough testing process at processing plants.

Toxicology expert Yen Tzung-hai assured that the detected enrofloxacin level of 0.028 ppm poses no harm to human organs, alleviating immediate health concerns for consumers.