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Newtalk June 7, 2013 / Reported by Chen Guan-Ting, New Taipei
The New Taipei City Health Bureau conducted inspections in May on 51 commercially available rice dumplings and alkaline rice dumplings, as well as 65 ingredients used in dumplings, including 40 samples of dried radish, 15 samples of dried shrimp, and 10 samples of bamboo leaves. Tests revealed that 22 samples of dried radish contained benzoic acid, with one sample exceeding the standard limit by four times, resulting in a failure rate as high as 55%. However, the rice dumplings, alkaline rice dumplings, dried shrimp, and bamboo leaves all met regulatory standards.
Lin Guan-Zhen, head of the Health Bureau’s Food and Drug Administration Division, stated today (7th) that the inspections targeted hypermarkets, supermarkets, and traditional vendors, assessing hygiene standards for rice dumplings, checking alkaline rice dumplings for borax, formaldehyde and preservatives in dried radish, and bleaching agents in dried shrimp and bamboo leaves. Non-compliant products were immediately ordered to be removed from shelves, and follow-up inspections will be conducted. If violations are found again, sellers will face fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$1.5 million under Articles 36 and 58 of the Consumer Protection Act.
Lin Guan-Zhen noted that 21 of the non-compliant dried radish samples were supplied by manufacturers in Chiayi County. Among them, six were provided by "Quanli Agricultural Products Food," nine by "Quanyi Food Factory," four by "Haishanxing Food Factory," one by "Yuanquan Food Processing," and one by "Tongzhen Agricultural Products." Another sample came from a vendor in Xinzhuang District who failed to disclose the supplier. The Health Bureau has ordered the businesses to recall all products from the same batch. If violations are confirmed, they will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000 under Article 12 of the Food Sanitation Management Act.
Lin Guan-Zhen pointed out that Haishanxing Food Factory’s "Jingdu Pearl Dried Radish" contained benzoic acid levels as high as 4.46g, exceeding the standard by four times. Additionally, to prevent food spoilage, businesses often add preservatives to extend shelf life. However, excessive consumption of sorbic acid may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing stomach pain and other discomfort. Long-term intake of excessive benzoic acid can lead to loss of appetite and liver damage.Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……4% B2% E9% 85% B8- 101437909. html;_ylt=AgUEzkVhudl8TJp4_rEJIIXSBdF_;_ylu=X3oDMTRxZmNwbDY0BGNjb2RlA3ZzaGFyZWFnMnVwcmVzdARtaXQDTmV3cyBmb3IgeW91IG1peGVkIGxpc3QEcGtnA2NlM2JiOGRmLTg4Y2YtMzBkYi1hMTU5LThiOGEwNjBjMTgyYgRwb3MDMQRzZWMDbmV3c19mb3JfeW91BHZlcgM1MGZiZjdjMi1jZjViLTExZTItYjNmOS03Yjk5NmRhNjQxMzI-;_ylg=X3oDMTM1OWVuOXRuBGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZAMwOWUwOTYyNi00Yjg1LTMxMWQtYjhiZS1jMjAxYTkzODQ2NGUEcHN0Y2F0A.eUn.a0u3zmtojosrsEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdl;_ylv=3
New Taipei Tests Zongzi: over Half of Preserved Radish Contains Benzoic Acid
The New Taipei City Health Bureau conducted inspections in May on 51 commercially available rice dumplings and alkaline rice dumplings, as well as 65 ingredients used in dumplings, including 40 samples of dried radish, 15 samples of dried shrimp, and 10 samples of bamboo leaves. Tests revealed that 22 samples of dried radish contained benzoic acid, with one sample exceeding the standard limit by four times, resulting in a failure rate as high as 55%. However, the rice dumplings, alkaline rice dumplings, dried shrimp, and bamboo leaves all met regulatory standards.
Lin Guan-Zhen, head of the Health Bureau’s Food and Drug Administration Division, stated today (7th) that the inspections targeted hypermarkets, supermarkets, and traditional vendors, assessing hygiene standards for rice dumplings, checking alkaline rice dumplings for borax, formaldehyde and preservatives in dried radish, and bleaching agents in dried shrimp and bamboo leaves. Non-compliant products were immediately ordered to be removed from shelves, and follow-up inspections will be conducted. If violations are found again, sellers will face fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$1.5 million under Articles 36 and 58 of the Consumer Protection Act.
Lin Guan-Zhen noted that 21 of the non-compliant dried radish samples were supplied by manufacturers in Chiayi County. Among them, six were provided by "Quanli Agricultural Products Food," nine by "Quanyi Food Factory," four by "Haishanxing Food Factory," one by "Yuanquan Food Processing," and one by "Tongzhen Agricultural Products." Another sample came from a vendor in Xinzhuang District who failed to disclose the supplier. The Health Bureau has ordered the businesses to recall all products from the same batch. If violations are confirmed, they will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000 under Article 12 of the Food Sanitation Management Act.
Lin Guan-Zhen pointed out that Haishanxing Food Factory’s "Jingdu Pearl Dried Radish" contained benzoic acid levels as high as 4.46g, exceeding the standard by four times. Additionally, to prevent food spoilage, businesses often add preservatives to extend shelf life. However, excessive consumption of sorbic acid may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing stomach pain and other discomfort. Long-term intake of excessive benzoic acid can lead to loss of appetite and liver damage.Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……4% B2% E9% 85% B8- 101437909. html;_ylt=AgUEzkVhudl8TJp4_rEJIIXSBdF_;_ylu=X3oDMTRxZmNwbDY0BGNjb2RlA3ZzaGFyZWFnMnVwcmVzdARtaXQDTmV3cyBmb3IgeW91IG1peGVkIGxpc3QEcGtnA2NlM2JiOGRmLTg4Y2YtMzBkYi1hMTU5LThiOGEwNjBjMTgyYgRwb3MDMQRzZWMDbmV3c19mb3JfeW91BHZlcgM1MGZiZjdjMi1jZjViLTExZTItYjNmOS03Yjk5NmRhNjQxMzI-;_ylg=X3oDMTM1OWVuOXRuBGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZAMwOWUwOTYyNi00Yjg1LTMxMWQtYjhiZS1jMjAxYTkzODQ2NGUEcHN0Y2F0A.eUn.a0u3zmtojosrsEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdl;_ylv=3