Under new regulations entitled "Procedures for Sampling, Inspection and Announcement of Results for of Rice for Human Consumption Sold on the Open Market," promulgated on January 9 of 2014, such rice is to be sampled and inspected monthly, and the results are to be announced in the following month. In 2014, 1,001 samples were inspected. One part of the inspection involved checking labeling on the packaging, and 947 of the samples (94.6%) were found to conform to required standards. A second part involved specifications for the external appearance and quality of the rice, with 975 (97.4%) of samples passing. Results were all posted online for the reference of consumers.

　　In addition, considering that the punitive provisions in the Food Administration Act were too lenient, after reassessment the COA proposed draft amendments to some provisions. The legislature completed the amending process and the amendments were promulgated on June 18 of 2014, to take effect on December 18 of 2014. The major changes include:

● The maximum fine was raised from NT$200,000 to NT$15 million.

● It is prohibited to mix imported rice and domestic rice for sale to consumers.

● In cases of extremely serious violations of the law, it is permissible to terminate the food seller's business registration, or to terminate specific business items in the registration, or to halt all or some items of food services operated by the offender for a specific period of time.

● For purposes of buying and selling, domestic and imported rice shall be separately registered, and processors and importers above a certain scale shall maintain a record of the sources of supply, in order to ensure traceability of the rice.

● Unpackaged rice has been brought under the provisions of the Food Administration Act.

　　Working with the newly amended Food Administration Act, the COA will strengthen inspection and administrative oversight of rice for human consumption sold in markets, halt unlawful behavior, and uphold the rights and interests of consumers. The COA will also amend all subordinate regulations mandated under the Food Administration Act, including those governing (a) food labeling, (b) administration of food dealers, (c) sampling and inspecting methods for food sold in markets, (d) procedures for rice sampling, inspection, and announcement of results and (e) the determination of punishment for violations of the Food Administration Act.

　　To ensure that food businesses understand what all these changes to laws and regulations mean, the COA has produced three pamphlets: one is an overall explanation of the main points of the amendments, the second is in Q&A format, and the third is an explanation of the regulations governing food labeling. These have been printed and sent out to food businesses across the country. The COA has also held explanatory seminars in each county and city.

　　In order to strengthen quality control over the sanitation and safety of rice in Taiwan, starting in 2013 the Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA, part of the COA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, under the Ministry of Health and Welfare) formed a joint inspection team, which conducts joint inspection of pesticide residues in rice, once in the first half of each year and once in the second half. Though acting in concert, the AFA is responsible for inspecting samples paddy rice in the possession of millers, and the FDA is responsible for packaged rice produced by millers. During the first inspection of 2014, there were 100 cases of samples being inspected at 52 millers, with 98 meeting standards and 2 failing to do so. During the second inspection of 2014, there were 100 cases of samples being inspected at 52 millers, with all 100 meeting standards. The rice that was not up to standard was immediately sealed and placed under restriction, which can only be lifted after the rice passes a reinspection. Until it passes a reinspection, it cannot be processed or sold or circulated in any way, in order to prevent rice that is not up to standard from getting into the market and endangering the health of consumers.