Release time: 2024/04/29 09:53:09
(Central News Service 20240429 09:53:09) Regarding the independent inspection of New Taipei City’s “Youqi Company” black pepper powder, Sudan red was suspected to be detected. During the inspection, the New Taipei City Health Bureau found that an estimated 170 kilograms of finished products were circulating in 10 counties and cities in Taiwan. The flow was to a downstream operator within the jurisdiction of Hsinchu County. The Hsinchu County Government Health Bureau was notified on the 28th and immediately sent personnel to conduct an on-site inspection, but no product in question was found. The Health Bureau will maintain close contact with all counties and cities and actively inspect downstream flows to protect people’s food safety.
The Health Bureau of the Hsinchu County Government stated that Sudanese red pigment was illegally added to black pepper products. The Health Bureau of the New Taipei City Government notified the black pepper powder produced by “Youqi Company” under its jurisdiction that Sudan pigments 3 and 4 were suspected to have been detected during independent inspections, and Self-reported, the New Taipei City Health Bureau discovered during an inspection that an estimated 170 kilograms of finished products were circulating in 10 counties and cities in Taiwan. The relevant problematic products have been recalled in advance to maintain food safety for the public.
On-site industry players pointed out that the manufacturer had voluntarily notified the return of goods on April 15. The original product in the case had been purchased in 2 packages of 1 kg each, and the products had not been used yet.
The Health Bureau stated that the black pepper powder produced by “Youqi Company” was detected to contain Sudan Red Pigment No. 3 and 4. The relevant products involved in the case have also been randomly inspected by the New Taipei City Health Bureau and are being sent to the Food and Drug Administration for inspection and confirmation. The inspection is expected to take approximately It will take 1 week. In order to protect people’s food safety, manufacturers of related products have recalled them first.
The Health Bureau calls on food business operators to voluntarily stop manufacturing, processing, selling and recalling products in accordance with Article 7, Item 5 of the Food Safety Law, and report to the health authorities if they find that their products endanger health and safety. The provincial health bureau will continue to maintain close contact with all counties and cities and actively inspect downstream flows to maintain people’s food safety.
In addition, Hsinchu County still maintains the suspension of the use of condiments such as chili powder, curry powder (blocks) and pepper in nutritious school lunches. It will evaluate whether to lift the ban after the central government clarifies that it is safe.
The Hsinchu County Government Health Bureau received the notice on the 28th and immediately sent personnel to conduct an on-site inspection, but did not find the problematic product.
