Obesity has become a global pandemic that could leave more than half of all adults worldwide overweight within two decades, experts said, calling for urgent action beyond just blaming people for lacking willpower.

Almost a third of Chinese New Year foods inspected by Taipei's Department of Health (DOH) were found to be in violation of government standards, according to official results released yesterday.

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Kuomintang Legislator Wang Yu-min (王育敏) yesterday urged the government to better enforce regulations over advertisements for alcoholic beverages.

Cycling or walking to school increases a child's ability to concentrate in the classroom, the results of a Danish study published Friday showed.

The Executive Yuan passed an amendment draft of The Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act (菸酒管理法) raising the maximum fine to NT$100 million yesterday at a Yuan sitting.

Taipei health officials yesterday called for consumers to put vegetables in warm water for 10 minutes or in hot water for 2 to 3 minutes to effectively remove excessive nitrite contained in vegetables and safeguard their health.

As the world struggles with a growing obesity epidemic, Slow Food gurus from the U.S. and Australia are urging international campaigners gathered in Italy to join a revolution in the way children eat.

Parents who want to reduce their kids' exposure to pesticides may seek out organic fruits and vegetables, but they aren't necessarily safer or more nutritious than conventional foods, America's leading pediatricians group says in its first advice on organics.

The number of people in Taiwan who exercise regularly has exceeded 30 percent of the population for the first time, according a Gallup poll released yesterday.