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CNA April 16, 2014 Reporter Guan Ruiping, Miaoli County, 16th
An underground factory in Miaoli City was found today by local prosecutors and police for allegedly soaking bean sprouts in industrial bleach "hydrosulfite" and selling them to traditional markets and food stalls for up to 30 years.
The Miaoli District Prosecutors Office received a tip about the unscrupulous underground factory. Early this morning, prosecutor Liu Zhejia led a raid with major case division officials, the Miaoli County Police Department, and the Miaoli County Health Bureau. They seized two barrels of industrial bleach, commonly known as "hydrosulfite" (sodium hydrosulfite), and approximately 700 catties (about 420 kg) of bean sprouts soaked in the bleach.
Investigations revealed that the factory operators used a makeshift metal shed next to a residential building to "process" the bean sprouts. They diluted 1 catty (about 0.6 kg) of industrial bleach in 15 metric tons of water, soaked the bean sprouts in the solution, and then sold them to traditional markets and food stalls, shipping about 800 catties (about 480 kg) daily.
Three individuals, including the Huang family owner and factory managers, were summoned for questioning. The owner admitted that, to preserve freshness, extend shelf life, and make the bean sprouts appear whiter and more appealing, they had used this method since 1984. Daily shipments were sent to traditional markets and food vendors. It is estimated that over 8,000 metric tons of tainted bean sprouts have been consumed over 30 years, potentially increasing the burden on human liver and kidney functions.
The Miaoli County Health Bureau stated that they received a tip late last year and conducted an inspection at the factory. Not only was the environment filthy, but industrial-grade sodium hydrosulfite, banned for food use, was also found on-site. The owner admitted to soaking the bean sprouts in diluted chemicals. The bureau imposed a NT$60,000 fine under the Food Sanitation Management Act and ordered the factory to cease operations.
The Health Bureau noted that in early April this year, they received another tip. However, the underground factory lacked business and factory registration permits, operating under the guise of a residential property, making inspections difficult. The bureau then referred the case to prosecutors for further investigation.
Prosecutors confirmed that the soaked bean sprouts tested positive for sodium hydrosulfite. The operators were suspected of violating Articles 15(10) and 49 of the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act. After questioning, the Huang family owner was released on NT$700,000 bail, while the other two individuals were released on NT$100,000 and NT$200,000 bail, respectively. 20140416
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Bleaching Bean Sprouts with Sodium Hydrosulfite for 30 Years
An underground factory in Miaoli City was found today by local prosecutors and police for allegedly soaking bean sprouts in industrial bleach "hydrosulfite" and selling them to traditional markets and food stalls for up to 30 years.
The Miaoli District Prosecutors Office received a tip about the unscrupulous underground factory. Early this morning, prosecutor Liu Zhejia led a raid with major case division officials, the Miaoli County Police Department, and the Miaoli County Health Bureau. They seized two barrels of industrial bleach, commonly known as "hydrosulfite" (sodium hydrosulfite), and approximately 700 catties (about 420 kg) of bean sprouts soaked in the bleach.
Investigations revealed that the factory operators used a makeshift metal shed next to a residential building to "process" the bean sprouts. They diluted 1 catty (about 0.6 kg) of industrial bleach in 15 metric tons of water, soaked the bean sprouts in the solution, and then sold them to traditional markets and food stalls, shipping about 800 catties (about 480 kg) daily.
Three individuals, including the Huang family owner and factory managers, were summoned for questioning. The owner admitted that, to preserve freshness, extend shelf life, and make the bean sprouts appear whiter and more appealing, they had used this method since 1984. Daily shipments were sent to traditional markets and food vendors. It is estimated that over 8,000 metric tons of tainted bean sprouts have been consumed over 30 years, potentially increasing the burden on human liver and kidney functions.
The Miaoli County Health Bureau stated that they received a tip late last year and conducted an inspection at the factory. Not only was the environment filthy, but industrial-grade sodium hydrosulfite, banned for food use, was also found on-site. The owner admitted to soaking the bean sprouts in diluted chemicals. The bureau imposed a NT$60,000 fine under the Food Sanitation Management Act and ordered the factory to cease operations.
The Health Bureau noted that in early April this year, they received another tip. However, the underground factory lacked business and factory registration permits, operating under the guise of a residential property, making inspections difficult. The bureau then referred the case to prosecutors for further investigation.
Prosecutors confirmed that the soaked bean sprouts tested positive for sodium hydrosulfite. The operators were suspected of violating Articles 15(10) and 49 of the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act. After questioning, the Huang family owner was released on NT$700,000 bail, while the other two individuals were released on NT$100,000 and NT$200,000 bail, respectively. 20140416
Source: https:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E……A330% E5% B9% B4- 095329177. html