The FDA announced on Tuesday, July 14, that a shipment of Kirkland Signature frozen mixed vegetables imported from the U.S. was found to contain pesticides. In addition, two batches of cheese imported from France were found to be substandard due to E. coli contamination. All batches of non-compliant goods were stopped at the border and did not enter the Taiwan market.

The Kirkland Signature, or Costco private brand, vegetables yielded unacceptable levels of the pesticides dimethoate, omethoate, and fipronil. According to regulations, the entire batch of 10.7 metric tons of product must be returned or destroyed. 

Two batches of cheese imported from France were also found to contain excessive amounts of the E. coli bacteria, failing inspection. Due to repeated non-compliance issues, the FDA has adjusted its border inspection policy, conducting enhanced random inspections of other cheeses from France at the border, with a sampling rate of 20% to 50%.