Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture has launched a “Taiwan Peanut” label, backed by elemental analysis, to help locally grown peanuts compete against imports. According to the Taipei Times, the initiative comes amid concern among domestic growers over the planned tariff-free importation of US peanuts under the Taiwan-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which has not yet taken effect. Locally grown peanuts currently account for around 75% of Taiwan’s domestic market.
The label is intended to create a clear distinction between domestic and imported peanuts, allowing consumers to identify products made from 100% locally grown peanuts. It will initially apply to products whose origin can be directly identified, including shelled peanuts and peanut candy, while more heavily processed products may be included in a second phase. The ministry plans to have its peanut-testing methods publicly recognized by Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration by the end of the year.
Products bearing the label will be subject to regular or random inspections aimed at distinguishing Taiwan-grown peanuts from imports from the United States, Brazil and Argentina. Mixing imported peanuts with domestic product, using peanuts of unknown origin or failing to provide traceability records could result in the label being revoked.