Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
August 15, 2013 [Liberty Times Reporters Chen Jianzhi, Cai Shuyuan, Yang Zhengjun, Huang Meizhu, Zeng Hongru / Comprehensive Report]
Crown Printing Company in Taichung City, which produces paper cups and paper meal boxes, was accused of using the toxic organic solvent toluene to wipe ink off paper meal boxes. According to the Food Sanitation Management Act, the company could face a maximum fine of NT$15 million and even have its business registration revoked. The company initially denied the allegations in the morning, but after prosecutors and police intervened in the investigation, Zhu Mingyao, the company's owner, admitted in the afternoon to "operational negligence." The Taichung City Government has ordered the company to suspend operations and will impose a fine of at least NT$1.5 million. It also demanded a complete ban and recall of the products and will inspect downstream businesses. In the evening, Zhu Mingyao was released on bail for NT$100,000, while a manager surnamed Yu was released on NT$50,000 bail.
**Taichung City Orders Suspension and Fines NT$1.5 Million**
Taichung's Crown Printing Company specializes in producing paper cups and paper meal boxes, supplying well-known chain restaurants such as Din Tai Fung, Sanma Stinky Tofu Hot Pot, and China Airlines. It was revealed that employees were instructed to use toluene to wipe ink off paper cups and meal boxes. Ingesting or coming into contact with toluene can cause long-term damage to the liver, kidneys, and brain, posing significant health risks to the public.
When reporters visited Crown Company yesterday morning, employees were still busy printing and shipping products. General Manager Zhu Mingyao flatly denied using toluene to wipe paper meal boxes and cups, claiming it was only used to clean ink-stained machines. He pointed to piles of discarded paper cups and meal boxes outside the factory, emphasizing that defective products were always discarded and destroyed. He also hinted that the allegations were false accusations made by former employees and competitors, stating that the company reserved the right to pursue legal action.
**Ban and Recall; Affected Businesses to Seek Compensation**
However, after health authorities and prosecutors inspected the printing plant and questioned employees yesterday, Zhu Mingyao changed his stance in the afternoon and admitted that toluene was used to wipe off residual ink that alcohol could not remove. He stated that the factory would suspend operations immediately and fully recall and destroy products from 50 downstream suppliers within the week. However, he also defended the practice, saying, "This production method is commonly used in the industry—everyone does it the same way!"
China Airlines, Din Tai Fung, and other businesses have already stopped using the company's products, stating that they will seek compensation from the manufacturer for losses once the investigation clarifies the situation.
**Health Bureau Sampling Test Results Expected Within a Week**
Prosecutors visited Crown Company yesterday afternoon and questioned four individuals: Vietnamese employee surnamed Ruan, Taiwanese employee surnamed Zhang, section chief Yu Shengtai, and General Manager Zhu Mingyao (the actual responsible person). Whether criminal liability applies depends on whether the toluene residue poses a hazard. The Health Bureau has taken samples for testing, with results expected as early as one week. If the toluene residue in the meal boxes is sufficient to cause harm, prosecutors will actively pursue legal action.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E7……% BD- % E6% A8% A3- 221054019. html
Toluene Wipes Lunch Boxes: Crown Claims Industry Standard
Crown Printing Company in Taichung City, which produces paper cups and paper meal boxes, was accused of using the toxic organic solvent toluene to wipe ink off paper meal boxes. According to the Food Sanitation Management Act, the company could face a maximum fine of NT$15 million and even have its business registration revoked. The company initially denied the allegations in the morning, but after prosecutors and police intervened in the investigation, Zhu Mingyao, the company's owner, admitted in the afternoon to "operational negligence." The Taichung City Government has ordered the company to suspend operations and will impose a fine of at least NT$1.5 million. It also demanded a complete ban and recall of the products and will inspect downstream businesses. In the evening, Zhu Mingyao was released on bail for NT$100,000, while a manager surnamed Yu was released on NT$50,000 bail.
**Taichung City Orders Suspension and Fines NT$1.5 Million**
Taichung's Crown Printing Company specializes in producing paper cups and paper meal boxes, supplying well-known chain restaurants such as Din Tai Fung, Sanma Stinky Tofu Hot Pot, and China Airlines. It was revealed that employees were instructed to use toluene to wipe ink off paper cups and meal boxes. Ingesting or coming into contact with toluene can cause long-term damage to the liver, kidneys, and brain, posing significant health risks to the public.
When reporters visited Crown Company yesterday morning, employees were still busy printing and shipping products. General Manager Zhu Mingyao flatly denied using toluene to wipe paper meal boxes and cups, claiming it was only used to clean ink-stained machines. He pointed to piles of discarded paper cups and meal boxes outside the factory, emphasizing that defective products were always discarded and destroyed. He also hinted that the allegations were false accusations made by former employees and competitors, stating that the company reserved the right to pursue legal action.
**Ban and Recall; Affected Businesses to Seek Compensation**
However, after health authorities and prosecutors inspected the printing plant and questioned employees yesterday, Zhu Mingyao changed his stance in the afternoon and admitted that toluene was used to wipe off residual ink that alcohol could not remove. He stated that the factory would suspend operations immediately and fully recall and destroy products from 50 downstream suppliers within the week. However, he also defended the practice, saying, "This production method is commonly used in the industry—everyone does it the same way!"
China Airlines, Din Tai Fung, and other businesses have already stopped using the company's products, stating that they will seek compensation from the manufacturer for losses once the investigation clarifies the situation.
**Health Bureau Sampling Test Results Expected Within a Week**
Prosecutors visited Crown Company yesterday afternoon and questioned four individuals: Vietnamese employee surnamed Ruan, Taiwanese employee surnamed Zhang, section chief Yu Shengtai, and General Manager Zhu Mingyao (the actual responsible person). Whether criminal liability applies depends on whether the toluene residue poses a hazard. The Health Bureau has taken samples for testing, with results expected as early as one week. If the toluene residue in the meal boxes is sufficient to cause harm, prosecutors will actively pursue legal action.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E7……% BD- % E6% A8% A3- 221054019. html