Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
【United Daily News╱Reported by Cai Weibin, Duan Hongyu, Zhang Minghui】 2009.05.19 03:13 am
Yunlin prosecutors and investigators yesterday uncovered a case involving bulk wholesalers of preserved radish, brothers Li Youtong and Li Jinan, who are suspected of selling tainted preserved radish containing the carcinogen formaldehyde. A total of 120 metric tons of preserved radish, already packed in boxes, were seized. Authorities suspect the brothers took advantage of the peak sales season for preserved radish used in Dragon Boat Festival zongzi to flood the market with their tainted products.
Investigators noted that since 1996, the Li brothers have contracted with farmers in Yunlin County’s coastal areas to produce preserved radish, making them one of the primary suppliers in the country. Distributors across Taiwan almost exclusively source their preserved radish from them, which is then resold to traditional markets and grocery stores. Based on the evidence gathered, the brothers have been involved in this fraudulent scheme since at least November of last year.
Yesterday, investigators, along with health bureau personnel, raided and sealed a warehouse rented by the brothers, which had been converted from a pigpen. Preliminary findings indicate that this facility handles an annual shipment volume of up to 100,000 metric tons.
As both Li brothers are currently hospitalized due to cancer and unable to provide statements, investigators will attempt to trace the distribution channels through their accounting records.
In November of last year, the Yunlin County Health Bureau had already seized over 5,900 boxes (approximately 70,000 metric tons) of tainted preserved radish from Li Youtong’s factory. Tests revealed that, in addition to containing common preservatives, the radish had formaldehyde levels as high as 200 ppm (commonly known as formalin). Last month, the Taichung County Health Bureau conducted random inspections of preserved radish in traditional markets, with one sample testing positive for formaldehyde. Further investigation suggested the product originated from the Li brothers.
Following up on the case, investigators and the health bureau discovered that after being caught last year, the Li brothers concealed the existence of another storage facility and continued production and shipments. Just before yesterday’s raid, another batch of goods had been shipped out.
The preserved radish produced by the brothers does not carry a fixed brand name but is instead packaged in boxes marked with either the character "川" (Chuan) or "達" (Da) inside a circle.
When investigators opened the boxes yesterday, a strong, pungent odor of formalin immediately filled the air. One officer covered his nose and remarked, “How could anyone eat this?”
Investigators stated that formaldehyde is a chemical used for preserving animal specimens and corpses, posing carcinogenic risks and is strictly prohibited in food products. The Li brothers’ use of both preservatives and formalin was likely intended to extend the shelf life of their products.
The landlord of the converted pigpen, Li Dingguo, said the brothers rented the property three years ago and began storing large quantities of preserved radish there, with frequent truck activity. “I had no idea the entire place was filled with tainted goods,” he said. The health bureau has collected two samples for testing and sealed the remaining inventory.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ LIFE/ LIF1/ 4913221. shtml
Carcinogenic Formaldehyde Found in Rotten Radish Sold at Traditional Markets
Yunlin prosecutors and investigators yesterday uncovered a case involving bulk wholesalers of preserved radish, brothers Li Youtong and Li Jinan, who are suspected of selling tainted preserved radish containing the carcinogen formaldehyde. A total of 120 metric tons of preserved radish, already packed in boxes, were seized. Authorities suspect the brothers took advantage of the peak sales season for preserved radish used in Dragon Boat Festival zongzi to flood the market with their tainted products.
Investigators noted that since 1996, the Li brothers have contracted with farmers in Yunlin County’s coastal areas to produce preserved radish, making them one of the primary suppliers in the country. Distributors across Taiwan almost exclusively source their preserved radish from them, which is then resold to traditional markets and grocery stores. Based on the evidence gathered, the brothers have been involved in this fraudulent scheme since at least November of last year.
Yesterday, investigators, along with health bureau personnel, raided and sealed a warehouse rented by the brothers, which had been converted from a pigpen. Preliminary findings indicate that this facility handles an annual shipment volume of up to 100,000 metric tons.
As both Li brothers are currently hospitalized due to cancer and unable to provide statements, investigators will attempt to trace the distribution channels through their accounting records.
In November of last year, the Yunlin County Health Bureau had already seized over 5,900 boxes (approximately 70,000 metric tons) of tainted preserved radish from Li Youtong’s factory. Tests revealed that, in addition to containing common preservatives, the radish had formaldehyde levels as high as 200 ppm (commonly known as formalin). Last month, the Taichung County Health Bureau conducted random inspections of preserved radish in traditional markets, with one sample testing positive for formaldehyde. Further investigation suggested the product originated from the Li brothers.
Following up on the case, investigators and the health bureau discovered that after being caught last year, the Li brothers concealed the existence of another storage facility and continued production and shipments. Just before yesterday’s raid, another batch of goods had been shipped out.
The preserved radish produced by the brothers does not carry a fixed brand name but is instead packaged in boxes marked with either the character "川" (Chuan) or "達" (Da) inside a circle.
When investigators opened the boxes yesterday, a strong, pungent odor of formalin immediately filled the air. One officer covered his nose and remarked, “How could anyone eat this?”
Investigators stated that formaldehyde is a chemical used for preserving animal specimens and corpses, posing carcinogenic risks and is strictly prohibited in food products. The Li brothers’ use of both preservatives and formalin was likely intended to extend the shelf life of their products.
The landlord of the converted pigpen, Li Dingguo, said the brothers rented the property three years ago and began storing large quantities of preserved radish there, with frequent truck activity. “I had no idea the entire place was filled with tainted goods,” he said. The health bureau has collected two samples for testing and sealed the remaining inventory.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ LIFE/ LIF1/ 4913221. shtml