The first shipment of American beef tendons since import restrictions were lifted arrived Taiwan on Saturday. According to the Department of Health, beef tendons are not classified as intestines and should be deemed safe after examination. However, doctors still warn about potential health risks.

This past January, the first shipment of American bone-in beef to be imported into Taiwan since a ban on American beef was lifted was delivered to the kitchens of five-star hotels in Taipei. On Saturday, a 2,265-kilogram shipment of American beef tendons arrived in Taiwan and was deemed safe for consumption following an inspection.

According to the Department of Health, the Legislative Yuan's amendment of the Act Governing Food Safety in January banned the imports of six categories of beef products, including bones, brains, eyes, spines, internal organs, and ground beef.

While the DOH says that beef tendons are not considered offal, doctors say that tendons contain prion proteins, which can lead to mad-cow disease. In response, the DOH says that the tendons that are being allowed into Taiwan connect muscles to bone and are therefore safe to consume.

Although the DOH says that it will continue strictly monitoring beef tongue, testicle, and diaphragm imports, the Bureau of Foreign Trade is recommending that vendors stop importing these parts for the time being.

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