Imported Algal Oil Tablets Found to Contain Excessive DEHP|大賣場熱銷健康食品 遭投訴塑化劑過量

The media recently reported that imported algal oil tablets had tested positive for excessive amounts of the plasticizer DEHP, but are still on sale. Eventhough The Food and Drug Administration says no country has plasticizer limit standards in place, only recommended limits. Nevertheless, the FDA will conduct an investigation.


This is National Vita's DHA algal oil softgel tablets. They have been imported from the United States, and are currently available in their original packaging at outlets including Costco. They are aimed at pregnant women, the elderly and children. Recently, a former employee of an importer revealed a batch of these vitamins contained levels of plasticizer DEHP above the recommended level. Excessive consumption of plasticizers may lead to higher infertility and cancer risks.

If adults are exposed (to DEHP) in the long term, it can increase the risk of cancer. It can also increase the risk of infertility. For young girls, it may lead to precocious puberty.

The Food and Drug Administration says no countries in the world have set DEHP standards, and Taiwan issued plasticizer quantity guidelines for companies following the 2012 plasticizer scandal, which set the recommended limit at 5 ppm. As there will inevitably be plasticizer dissolution problems during processing, these guidelines are only meant to be used as a reference. If manufacturers discover DEHP anomalies in their products, they need to find the source of the pollution. If manufacturers know of DEHP anomalies but ignore them, they will be fined for violating the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

If they fail to take remedial action, they could be in violation of Article 7 of our Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation. The fine is approximately NT$30,000 to NT$3 million.

The FDA says it will ask Taipei City's Department of Health to investigate to see if businesses managed this issue well. Meanwhile, Costco says all products with problems are pulled from shelves, and it will allow customers to return or replace their purchases. The importer issued a statement saying it is deeply sorry for this incident and it apologizes. It will step up its quality control and allow consumers to return their purchases.