Taipei City Government

In recent years, fruit stalls selling freshly cut fruit have become popular at the Shilin Night Market, with some being suspected of overcharging their customers. Before the Spring Festival, the Taipei City Government dispatched a joint task force to step up its inspections of freshly cut fruit stalls at the Shilin Night Market (including the publicly owned section). In January 2019, 44 penalties were meted out: 42 fines by the police and two written warnings by the Taipei Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The total amount of the fines was TWD 52,800 (USD 1,715). Since the inspection, two fruit stalls (in front of Cixian Temple on Danan Road and in front of No. 39 Keelung Road) have suspended their business.
 
According to the Taipei City Market Administration Office (TCMA), 834 fruit stalls were inspected between January 9, 2018 and January 30, 2019. Those that didn’t play by the score of the “Fresh Fruit Sonata” (denoting four steps for properly selling freshly cut fruit), had to face the music. The TCMA instructed 87 stalls on improving their practice, while the police fined 144 stalls for setting up their roadside business without permits, which is a violation of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act. The fines totaled TWD 172,800 (USD 5,600). The DEP fined three fruit stalls for a total of TWD 3,600 for discarding their fruit peels, a violation of the Waste Disposal Act. It instructed another 77 fruit stalls to clean up their surroundings. The Taipei Department of Health (DOH) instructed 237 fruit stalls to improve their hygiene and issued three written warnings regarding hygiene. Consumer protection officials instructed 42 fruit stalls to create clearer pricing signage.
 
The Taipei Department of Legal Affairs (DLA) noted that Taipei City’s Police Department, DEP, DOH, and DLA have formed a joint task force to put an end to overpricing at Shilin Night Market, improve the market’s image, and prevent consumer disputes. The joint task force will continue its unannounced visits to fruit stalls at the popular night market to inspect their business processes, cleanliness, and food hygiene. They must clearly display their pricing, inform consumers of the total price, and only after their consent start cutting the fruit order. Forced purchases are forbidden, and use of electronic scales certified by MOEA’s Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection is mandatory. Also, the Fresh Fruit Sonata in Four Movements (SAY “How much for each?”; WEIGH your chosen fruit; PAY the total price; OKAY to cut the fruit now) must be displayed in Chinese and English. Reported consumer disputes will be swiftly dealt with to protect consumer rights.
 
The TCMA urges night market visitors to refuse continuing or concluding their purchase if the fruit stall staff has not stated the total price or has not asked for their confirmation before cutting the fruit. Please note the location and the name of the stall, and call the Citizen Hotline: 1999 (02-2720 8889 when calling from outside Taipei). They will notify the TCMA, which will involve the police and other units as needed to jointly inspect and fine the stall.