Taiwan authorities have stepped up monitoring and investigation in the plasticizer scandal. Food producers must provide food safety certificates, and new legislation is being submitted. But as Laurie Lew finds out, the public is far from reassured.

The plasticizer scandal is shaking Taiwan's food industry.

The chemical was first found in raw material supplier of spices. Then hundreds of companies have been affected, including famous brands such as Taiwan Candy.

All the contaminated products have been removed from shelves. The Taiwan Health authority is also planning to submit legislation on food safety as early as Thursday.

The new law raises the maximum fine for food adulteration by more than 30 times.It also requires setting up technical crews to doublecheck on food safety.

Taiwan's environment department is also planning a hearing on poisonous chemicals. And industrial plasticizer will likely be raised to the second category from the fourth. This would require enterprises to get an official permit before using the chemical.

Food producers must now provide food safety certificates.

All this is creating more headaches for consumers, who don't want to wade through 2-hundred pages of test reports.

"Choosing drinks from that shelf is easier. The test reports make it difficult for me to see what is on these shelves."

Lin Lili, supermarket employee, said, "Consumers can't find the drinks, and it is not environmentally friendly."

And beyond the beverage industry, the recycling business has also suffered.

Bottle collectors now find their bags half empty.

"I didn't sell anything today. This will leave me with nothing to eat."

While waiting for the new measures to take effect, consumers can only hope the worst is over.

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