Taiwan to restrict 'fresh milk' label to certified products

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday new labeling regulations that will restrict the use of the term “fresh milk” to products certified by the Ministry of Agriculture, effective July 1 next year.

Under the updated rules, only dairy products that meet the ministry’s standards will be allowed to carry the “fresh milk” label. Misuse of the term could result in fines of up to NT$4 million (US$133,777).

The changes are part of broader amendments governing the naming and labeling of dairy products. FDA official Liu Fang-ming (劉芳銘) said product names must also clearly state the source animal, such as “cow’s milk,” “goat’s milk,” or “sheep’s milk,” to prevent confusion.

In Taiwan, “fresh milk” refers specifically to pasteurized milk that requires refrigeration and typically has a shelf life of around 14 days. However, imported milk products with shelf lives of more than 30 days have been labeled as “fresh milk” due to varying international standards and trade agreements, according to Better Milk, Bio Pioneer Food.

Domestic dairy producers have long raised concerns that extended-shelf-life imported milk marketed under the “fresh milk” label misleads consumers and undermines local products. Some imported brands do not use the word “fresh” in their original packaging but are still marketed in Taiwan as “fresh milk,” fueling frustration among local farmers.

Under the new regulations, products with incomplete or incorrect labeling may face fines between NT$30,000 and NT$3 million. False or misleading labeling, advertising, or promotional claims may result in fines ranging from NT$40,000 to NT$4 million.