Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
Liberty Times – February 14, 2014
Reporters Huang Wenhao, Hong Suqing, Wu Mingzhong / Comprehensive Report
Bean sprouts were found to contain industrial bleach! A man named Qiu Erwei operated an underground factory in Rende District, Tainan, producing bean sprouts allegedly bleached with industrial agents such as sodium hydrosulfite (commonly known as "insurance powder") and sodium hypochlorite before selling them to traditional markets and restaurants in Tainan and Kaohsiung. This practice had reportedly continued for over a decade.
Prosecutors Cai Yingjun and Zhou Mengxiang from the Tainan District Prosecutors’ Office led a team of 30 investigators early yesterday morning to raid the unlicensed factory in Rende District based on information from the Health Bureau. Authorities seized 18 barrels of sodium hydrosulfite, 25 barrels of sodium hypochlorite, a bottle of bean sprout nutrient solution, and sales records on-site.
Qiu Erwei admitted that his factory had been producing bean sprouts since 2001, with a daily output of approximately 1,800 to 3,600 kilograms. Based on this estimate, over 15,000 metric tons of bean sprouts had entered the market in 12 years, most of which had already been consumed. Investigators privately remarked, "Except for infants who can’t eat vegetables yet, everyone has probably eaten them."
### Underground Factory Owner Admits Doing It for Profit
"This is an open secret in the industry—even wholesalers and retailers know about it," Qiu told prosecutors during questioning. He claimed that bleaching was not his original idea and that although he had heard it could cause asthma in children, "everyone does it, and there’s no choice if you want to make money."
Bean sprouts soaked in insurance powder may retain sulfur dioxide. Dr. Yan Zonghai, a nephrologist at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained that sulfur dioxide can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to nausea and abdominal pain. High residue levels may also trigger asthma in individuals with sensitive bronchial tubes or cause allergic gastroenteritis. Lin Shengzhe, director of the Tainan Health Bureau, emphasized that most people do not consume large quantities of bean sprouts and urged the public not to panic.
Prosecutors discovered that Qiu’s father had previously sold bean sprouts. After taking over, Qiu imported mung beans and soybeans from abroad, cultivated them for five days, and then soaked them in a solution containing sodium hydrosulfite and sodium hypochlorite for ten minutes. The sprouts were then sprayed with alum water to enhance their color before being packaged and shipped.
### Those with Sensitive Bronchial Tubes Prone to Asthma
Naturally grown bean sprouts without additives tend to be curved, shorter, and prone to yellowing, making them less appealing to consumers. In contrast, bleached sprouts appear bright, straight, and more attractive.
Both Jiang Yumei, Deputy Director of the Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Yan Zonghai advised the public to avoid purchasing overly white or foul-smelling bean sprouts. Yan further recommended rinsing sprouts under running water for 15 minutes before consumption and cooking with the lid off to allow sulfur dioxide to evaporate.
Prosecutors preliminarily determined that Qiu had violated the Food Sanitation Management Act and committed fraud, ordering him to post NT$1 million bail pending further investigation. Lin Shengzhe noted that Qiu could face fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$15 million under the law.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……0% BD% E8% 82% 9A- 221048664. html
Bleach-Soaked Black-Hearted Bean Sprouts: Tens of Thousands of Tons May Have been Consumed
Reporters Huang Wenhao, Hong Suqing, Wu Mingzhong / Comprehensive Report
Bean sprouts were found to contain industrial bleach! A man named Qiu Erwei operated an underground factory in Rende District, Tainan, producing bean sprouts allegedly bleached with industrial agents such as sodium hydrosulfite (commonly known as "insurance powder") and sodium hypochlorite before selling them to traditional markets and restaurants in Tainan and Kaohsiung. This practice had reportedly continued for over a decade.
Prosecutors Cai Yingjun and Zhou Mengxiang from the Tainan District Prosecutors’ Office led a team of 30 investigators early yesterday morning to raid the unlicensed factory in Rende District based on information from the Health Bureau. Authorities seized 18 barrels of sodium hydrosulfite, 25 barrels of sodium hypochlorite, a bottle of bean sprout nutrient solution, and sales records on-site.
Qiu Erwei admitted that his factory had been producing bean sprouts since 2001, with a daily output of approximately 1,800 to 3,600 kilograms. Based on this estimate, over 15,000 metric tons of bean sprouts had entered the market in 12 years, most of which had already been consumed. Investigators privately remarked, "Except for infants who can’t eat vegetables yet, everyone has probably eaten them."
### Underground Factory Owner Admits Doing It for Profit
"This is an open secret in the industry—even wholesalers and retailers know about it," Qiu told prosecutors during questioning. He claimed that bleaching was not his original idea and that although he had heard it could cause asthma in children, "everyone does it, and there’s no choice if you want to make money."
Bean sprouts soaked in insurance powder may retain sulfur dioxide. Dr. Yan Zonghai, a nephrologist at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained that sulfur dioxide can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to nausea and abdominal pain. High residue levels may also trigger asthma in individuals with sensitive bronchial tubes or cause allergic gastroenteritis. Lin Shengzhe, director of the Tainan Health Bureau, emphasized that most people do not consume large quantities of bean sprouts and urged the public not to panic.
Prosecutors discovered that Qiu’s father had previously sold bean sprouts. After taking over, Qiu imported mung beans and soybeans from abroad, cultivated them for five days, and then soaked them in a solution containing sodium hydrosulfite and sodium hypochlorite for ten minutes. The sprouts were then sprayed with alum water to enhance their color before being packaged and shipped.
### Those with Sensitive Bronchial Tubes Prone to Asthma
Naturally grown bean sprouts without additives tend to be curved, shorter, and prone to yellowing, making them less appealing to consumers. In contrast, bleached sprouts appear bright, straight, and more attractive.
Both Jiang Yumei, Deputy Director of the Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Yan Zonghai advised the public to avoid purchasing overly white or foul-smelling bean sprouts. Yan further recommended rinsing sprouts under running water for 15 minutes before consumption and cooking with the lid off to allow sulfur dioxide to evaporate.
Prosecutors preliminarily determined that Qiu had violated the Food Sanitation Management Act and committed fraud, ordering him to post NT$1 million bail pending further investigation. Lin Shengzhe noted that Qiu could face fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$15 million under the law.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……0% BD% E8% 82% 9A- 221048664. html