Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
NOWnews – April 22, 2013
Reporter Chen Kunkai / Taipei Report
After school, many elementary school children love to buy snacks from small shops near school gates. The Taipei City Health Bureau today (22nd) announced the latest inspection results, shockingly detecting the toxic industrial dye "Orange II" in two popular children's snacks—"red fish slices" and "grilled squid"—in Nangang and Zhongshan Districts. Animal studies have shown that this dye can damage liver cells. The products were immediately removed from shelves and destroyed, with their sources traced. Violating businesses may face fines of up to NT$6 million.
In late February this year, the Taipei City Health Bureau inspected 40 children's snack products, including preserved fruits, candies, dried seafood, baked goods, and dried tofu snacks, from stores near 13 elementary and middle schools. Five products failed the inspection.
Alarmingly, "red fish slices" sold by Shangmei Food Store on Fude Street in Nangang District and "grilled squid" sold by Sanshang Store on Wuchang Street in Zhongshan District were found to contain the prohibited Orange II. The suppliers were identified as Shunfa Company from Mituo, Kaohsiung, and Yuanhe Food.
Additionally, "smoked shredded squid" sold by Sheng Hecheng Company on Section 4 of Bade Road in Songshan District contained 1.47g/kg of sorbic acid, exceeding the standard limit of 1.0g/kg. "Fruit Soft Candy" sold by Shengbao Department Store on Minzu West Road in Datong District contained the prohibited synthetic dye amaranth. "Plum Candy" sold by Ougi Boutique on Section 4 of Bade Road in Songshan District contained 13.83g/kg of sodium cyclamate (nearly 14 times the standard limit of 1.0g/kg) and 7.5g/kg of saccharin (exceeding the standard limit of 2.0g/kg).
Qiu Xiuyi, Director of the Food and Drug Administration at the Taipei City Health Bureau, stated that Orange II is a toxic substance. The U.S. FDA banned its use in food as early as 1968, and it is now prohibited worldwide. Animal studies indicate that Orange II can damage liver cells. In Taiwan, it is only permitted for industrial dye use.
The Taipei City Health Bureau emphasized that the violating products have been ordered off shelves immediately. Manufacturers face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 for violating food safety regulations. Those found using Orange II in food could be fined NT$60,000 to NT$6 million, with the illegal products confiscated and destroyed.
Qiu Xiuyi urged parents to monitor their children's snack purchases, opting for well-packaged and clearly labeled products. She also recommended moderate consumption and encouraged eating fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables for better health.
The Health Bureau also inspected the labeling of 37 packaged products, finding eight non-compliant cases, including incomplete labeling of dyes, preservatives, and sweeteners. Manufacturers or responsible vendors may face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 or NT$40,000 to NT$200,000, with orders to recall and correct the products before resale.Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……9% B2% E7% B4% A0- 034002768. html;_ylt=Aln2R4aJq1BmRs3mQbgZKJngBdF_;_ylu=X3oDMTMyZjlocnI4BG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVFcEcGtnAzhjYzQ2YTg2LTg1NDctMzFhNS1iMTZmLWVhNzA2NWRlMjgyNARwb3MDbDcEc2VjA21lZGlhaW5maW5pdGVicm93c2VsaXN0;_ylg=X3oDMTNiY3NzbmNoBGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZANkMmM3MzI3MS02Mzg5LTMxYzItODU1ZC1iYTMxMDhiYjUyOTYEcHN0Y2F0A.WBpeW6t3zphqvnmYLooZvnlJ8EcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdl;_ylv=3
Terrifying Snacks! School Gate Sells Red Fish and Grilled Squid with Liver-Damaging Industrial Dye
Reporter Chen Kunkai / Taipei Report
After school, many elementary school children love to buy snacks from small shops near school gates. The Taipei City Health Bureau today (22nd) announced the latest inspection results, shockingly detecting the toxic industrial dye "Orange II" in two popular children's snacks—"red fish slices" and "grilled squid"—in Nangang and Zhongshan Districts. Animal studies have shown that this dye can damage liver cells. The products were immediately removed from shelves and destroyed, with their sources traced. Violating businesses may face fines of up to NT$6 million.
In late February this year, the Taipei City Health Bureau inspected 40 children's snack products, including preserved fruits, candies, dried seafood, baked goods, and dried tofu snacks, from stores near 13 elementary and middle schools. Five products failed the inspection.
Alarmingly, "red fish slices" sold by Shangmei Food Store on Fude Street in Nangang District and "grilled squid" sold by Sanshang Store on Wuchang Street in Zhongshan District were found to contain the prohibited Orange II. The suppliers were identified as Shunfa Company from Mituo, Kaohsiung, and Yuanhe Food.
Additionally, "smoked shredded squid" sold by Sheng Hecheng Company on Section 4 of Bade Road in Songshan District contained 1.47g/kg of sorbic acid, exceeding the standard limit of 1.0g/kg. "Fruit Soft Candy" sold by Shengbao Department Store on Minzu West Road in Datong District contained the prohibited synthetic dye amaranth. "Plum Candy" sold by Ougi Boutique on Section 4 of Bade Road in Songshan District contained 13.83g/kg of sodium cyclamate (nearly 14 times the standard limit of 1.0g/kg) and 7.5g/kg of saccharin (exceeding the standard limit of 2.0g/kg).
Qiu Xiuyi, Director of the Food and Drug Administration at the Taipei City Health Bureau, stated that Orange II is a toxic substance. The U.S. FDA banned its use in food as early as 1968, and it is now prohibited worldwide. Animal studies indicate that Orange II can damage liver cells. In Taiwan, it is only permitted for industrial dye use.
The Taipei City Health Bureau emphasized that the violating products have been ordered off shelves immediately. Manufacturers face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 for violating food safety regulations. Those found using Orange II in food could be fined NT$60,000 to NT$6 million, with the illegal products confiscated and destroyed.
Qiu Xiuyi urged parents to monitor their children's snack purchases, opting for well-packaged and clearly labeled products. She also recommended moderate consumption and encouraged eating fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables for better health.
The Health Bureau also inspected the labeling of 37 packaged products, finding eight non-compliant cases, including incomplete labeling of dyes, preservatives, and sweeteners. Manufacturers or responsible vendors may face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 or NT$40,000 to NT$200,000, with orders to recall and correct the products before resale.Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……9% B2% E7% B4% A0- 034002768. html;_ylt=Aln2R4aJq1BmRs3mQbgZKJngBdF_;_ylu=X3oDMTMyZjlocnI4BG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVFcEcGtnAzhjYzQ2YTg2LTg1NDctMzFhNS1iMTZmLWVhNzA2NWRlMjgyNARwb3MDbDcEc2VjA21lZGlhaW5maW5pdGVicm93c2VsaXN0;_ylg=X3oDMTNiY3NzbmNoBGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZANkMmM3MzI3MS02Mzg5LTMxYzItODU1ZC1iYTMxMDhiYjUyOTYEcHN0Y2F0A.WBpeW6t3zphqvnmYLooZvnlJ8EcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdl;_ylv=3