Taiwan has improved how it screens imported fruits by using artificial intelligence. This shift shows how AI enhances food safety in the country’s growing import market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explained that its AI-powered Border Prediction Intelligent System has made a real difference. Officials said the detection rate for non-compliant fruit rose to 3.8%. This technology allows the FDA to act faster and more effectively when checking imported products.
Lin Chin-fu, the FDA’s Deputy Director-General, said the agency has used the system since 2010. He shared that the AI system saves more than NT$4 million (US$123,000) each year. It also helps reduce the need for manual inspections. The system gathers data from international and local sources. It looks at inspection records, food safety warnings, and violation histories. With this information, it predicts which imports might pose a risk. As a result, officers can choose better samples for inspection.
All imported agricultural goods must pass through the Import Food Information System. Then, the AI tool decides if the product needs testing. Officers check for pesticide levels, microbes, heavy metals, and food additives. Taiwan has seen a rise in food imports. In 2011, the FDA handled 400,000 batches. By last year, that number jumped to 760,000. Because of limited staffing and resources, AI enhances food safety and boosts inspection accuracy.
To meet this demand, the FDA plans to raise its number of inspectors from 71 to over 100. This expansion will help the agency handle growing food safety challenges. Due to increased violations, Taiwan has stepped up checks on some goods. For example, strawberries from Japan often fail safety tests. Since mid-2023, officers inspected 317 strawberry batches, with 2.2% not meeting standards.
In January, officials also flagged Japanese apples and squid for having too much pesticide and heavy metals. More recently, chili powder imports from China contained Sudan red, an illegal dye. From February to March, 22 batches tested positive for the banned substance. Authorities fined the importers over NT$2 million and took legal action. Taiwan’s FDA expects AI to play a bigger role in food safety. As imports grow, AI enhances food safety and supports inspectors in making faster, smarter choices.
