Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
NOWnews – January 13, 2014
Reporter Chen Kunkai / Taipei Report
Before the Lunar New Year, the Taipei City Health Bureau announced today (13th) the results of random inspections on festive products such as golden needles and snow needles. Out of 50 samples, 19 were found to contain excessive levels of the bleaching agent sulfur dioxide, with a non-compliance rate as high as 38%. The most severe case detected sulfur dioxide at 34.6g/kg, more than 8 times the standard limit. The store "Zhicheng Hang" in Hualian had a total of 6 golden needle products that failed to meet regulations. The non-compliant products have been immediately removed from shelves, and fines have been issued.
The Taipei City Health Bureau conducted random inspections of golden needle and snow needle products at supermarkets, traditional markets, and the Dihua Street shopping district before the Lunar New Year. Out of 50 samples tested for sulfur dioxide residue, 19 exceeded the standard limit of 4g/kg, resulting in a 38% non-compliance rate. Additionally, one "sulfur-free golden needle" product failed to provide nutritional labeling in Chinese on its packaging.
Qiu Xiuyi, Director of the Food and Drug Administration of the Taipei City Health Bureau, pointed out that among the non-compliant products, the highest sulfur dioxide level detected was 34.6g/kg, exceeding the standard by more than 8 times. The source was traced to Zhicheng Hang in Yuli Township, Hualian County. This single store accounted for 6 of the non-compliant golden needle products in this round of inspections, representing 31.6% of the total.
The Taipei City Health Bureau stated that all non-compliant products have been immediately removed from shelves. Manufacturers or responsible vendors have been fined between NT$30,000 and NT$3,000,000 for violating the "Standards for the Scope, Application, and Limits of Food Additives" under the Food Sanitation Management Act. If the source cannot be identified, retailers may also be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$3,000,000.
Qiu Xiuyi emphasized that excessive intake of the bleaching agent sulfur dioxide may cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, diarrhea, and vomiting. For asthma patients, consuming foods with excessive sulfites may trigger varying degrees of allergic reactions, leading to asthma attacks and breathing difficulties.
The Taipei City Health Bureau advises consumers to avoid purchasing golden needle products that appear overly bright in color, emit a pungent odor, or lack a natural taste. Additionally, soaking golden needles in water can remove most of the residual sulfur dioxide. It is recommended to soak dried golden needles in water before cooking, wring them out, and repeat the process 2-3 times to remove approximately 70% of the sulfur dioxide residue. Boiling them uncovered for about 3 minutes can further volatilize sulfur dioxide, eliminating over 90% of the residue.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E9……% BE8% E5% 80% 8D- 020551508. html
Food Safety Alert: 38% of Daylilies Exceed Bleach Limits, Some by over 8 Times
Reporter Chen Kunkai / Taipei Report
Before the Lunar New Year, the Taipei City Health Bureau announced today (13th) the results of random inspections on festive products such as golden needles and snow needles. Out of 50 samples, 19 were found to contain excessive levels of the bleaching agent sulfur dioxide, with a non-compliance rate as high as 38%. The most severe case detected sulfur dioxide at 34.6g/kg, more than 8 times the standard limit. The store "Zhicheng Hang" in Hualian had a total of 6 golden needle products that failed to meet regulations. The non-compliant products have been immediately removed from shelves, and fines have been issued.
The Taipei City Health Bureau conducted random inspections of golden needle and snow needle products at supermarkets, traditional markets, and the Dihua Street shopping district before the Lunar New Year. Out of 50 samples tested for sulfur dioxide residue, 19 exceeded the standard limit of 4g/kg, resulting in a 38% non-compliance rate. Additionally, one "sulfur-free golden needle" product failed to provide nutritional labeling in Chinese on its packaging.
Qiu Xiuyi, Director of the Food and Drug Administration of the Taipei City Health Bureau, pointed out that among the non-compliant products, the highest sulfur dioxide level detected was 34.6g/kg, exceeding the standard by more than 8 times. The source was traced to Zhicheng Hang in Yuli Township, Hualian County. This single store accounted for 6 of the non-compliant golden needle products in this round of inspections, representing 31.6% of the total.
The Taipei City Health Bureau stated that all non-compliant products have been immediately removed from shelves. Manufacturers or responsible vendors have been fined between NT$30,000 and NT$3,000,000 for violating the "Standards for the Scope, Application, and Limits of Food Additives" under the Food Sanitation Management Act. If the source cannot be identified, retailers may also be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$3,000,000.
Qiu Xiuyi emphasized that excessive intake of the bleaching agent sulfur dioxide may cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, diarrhea, and vomiting. For asthma patients, consuming foods with excessive sulfites may trigger varying degrees of allergic reactions, leading to asthma attacks and breathing difficulties.
The Taipei City Health Bureau advises consumers to avoid purchasing golden needle products that appear overly bright in color, emit a pungent odor, or lack a natural taste. Additionally, soaking golden needles in water can remove most of the residual sulfur dioxide. It is recommended to soak dried golden needles in water before cooking, wring them out, and repeat the process 2-3 times to remove approximately 70% of the sulfur dioxide residue. Boiling them uncovered for about 3 minutes can further volatilize sulfur dioxide, eliminating over 90% of the residue.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E9……% BE8% E5% 80% 8D- 020551508. html