Be Careful with Baby Snacks: Heavy Metals Found Online
The Taipei Department of Health recently shared some important news about children’s snacks. They tested 50 products and found a problem. Four snacks sold through online channels contained heavy metals that were much higher than the rules allow. These products were all seaweed snacks from Japan and South Korea. For example, one seaweed snack had cadmium levels 12.3 times higher than the limit!
The department said that all products from physical stores passed the tests. However, the four products from online shops were not safe because they had too much lead and cadmium. The government has asked these online stores to stop selling the items right now. If the companies do not improve their food safety, they may have to pay a large fine between NT30,000 and NT3 million.
Why should we worry? Young children and babies are small and their bodies are still growing. Because of this, they are more sensitive to heavy metals than adults. Their bodies take in these bad things more easily. The Department of Health tells parents to choose more fresh fruit and vegetables for a good diet. When you buy snacks, always check the package. Look for the company name, where the food comes from, and the correct age group. If you have the snacks that failed the test at home, stop eating them to stay healthy!
一、 逐句翻譯與重點講解 (Sentence-by-Sentence Analysis)
1. The Taipei Department of Health recently shared some important news about children’s snacks.
o 中譯：台北市衛生局最近分享了一些關於兒童零食的重要消息。
o 講解：department of Health 是「衛生局」。important 是形容詞「重要的」。
2. They tested 50 products and found a problem.
o 中譯：他們測試了 50 件產品並發現了一個問題。
o 講解：product 意為「產品」 。test 在此作為動詞，表示「檢測」。
3. Four snacks sold through online channels contained heavy metals that were much higher than the rules allow.
o 中譯：四款透過網路管道銷售的零食含有重金屬，含量遠高於規定標準。
o 講解：Allow 是「准許、允許」的意思 。注意 much higher than 是比較級的加強用法，意為「比...高得多」。
4. These products were all seaweed snacks from Japan and South Korea.
o 中譯：這些產品全是來自日本和南韓的海苔零食。
5. For example, one seaweed snack had cadmium levels 12.3 times higher than the limit!
o 中譯：例如，其中一款海苔零食的鎘含量比標準限制高出 12.3 倍！
o 講解：limit 是「限制、標準值」。12.3 times higher 這種倍數描述是閱讀測驗常見的細節考點。
6. The department said that all products from physical stores passed the tests.
o 中譯：該部門表示，所有來自實體店面的產品都通過了測試。
7. However, the four products from online shops were not safe because they had too much lead and cadmium.
o 中譯：然而，這四款來自網店的產品並不安全，因為它們含有過多的鉛和鎘。
o 講解：However 用於語氣轉折。Because 引導原因子句。
8. The government has asked these online stores to stop selling the items right now.
o 中譯：政府已要求這些網路商店立即停止銷售這些品項 。
o 講解：government 意為「政府」 。
9. If the companies do not improve their food safety, they may have to pay a large fine between NT30,000andNT3 million.
o 中譯：如果公司不改善其食品安全，他們可能必須支付 3 萬至 300 萬台幣的大額罰款。
o 講解：improve 是「改進、改善」 。large fine 意為「大額罰款」。
10. Why should we worry? Young children and babies are small and their bodies are still growing.
o 中譯：我們為什麼要擔心？幼兒和嬰兒體型較小，且他們的身體仍在成長 。
11. Because of this, they are more sensitive to heavy metals than adults.
o 中譯：正因如此，他們比成年人對重金屬更為敏感 。
o 講解：because of this 意為「因為這件事」。sensitive 是「敏感的」。
12. Their bodies take in these bad things more easily.
o 中譯：他們的身體更容易吸收這些不好的東西 。
13. The Department of Health tells parents to choose more fresh fruit and vegetables for a good diet.
o 中譯：衛生局告訴家長為了良好的飲食，應選擇更多新鮮蔬果 。
o 講解：Diet 意為「飲食」 。
14. When you buy snacks, always check the package.
o 中譯：當你購買零食時，務必檢查包裝 。
15. Look for the company name, where the food comes from, and the correct age group.
o 中譯：尋找公司名稱、食物產地以及正確的適用年齡組別 。
16. If you have the snacks that failed the test at home, stop eating them to stay healthy!
o 中譯：如果你家裡有沒通過檢測的零食，請停止食用以保持健康 ！
o 講解：healthy 意為「健康的」 。
二、 重點文法解析 (Key Grammar)
1. 比較級加強語法 (Much + Comparative)
o 例句：...contained heavy metals that were much higher than the rules allow.
o 解析：在形容詞比較級（higher）前加上 much，用來強調「比...高得多」 。
2. 第一類條件句 (The First Conditional)
o 例句：If the companies do not improve their food safety, they may have to pay... .
o 解析：結構為 If + 現在簡單式, 主句可能使用 may/will + 原形動詞，用來描述未來可能發生的結果或後果 。
3. 原因連接詞 (Because vs. Because of)
o 例句：...not safe because they had too much... / Because of this, they are more sensitive... .
解析：Because 後面接完整的「子句」；而 Because of 後面接「名詞或代名詞」。
