Hsinchu City Government Announces Latest Progress on Campus Food Safety: Mayor Kao Hong-An: Information Transparency, Rule of Law, and Highest Standards to Safeguard Public Health!

Hsinchu City Government held a 'Major Announcement on Campus Food Safety' press conference today (29), with Mayor Kao Hong-An leading Education Commissioner Lin Li-Sheng, Health Commissioner Chen Hou-Chuan, and Economic Development Commissioner Yen Yi-Chi. Councilors Chen Ching-Ling and Chen Chi-Yuan also attended to express their concern. The city government provided a comprehensive update on the latest central government-released information regarding problematic oil batches, the results of campus nutrition lunch inspections in Hsinchu, and the progress on the recent rice (steamed) powder food safety incident.

Mayor Kao Hong-An emphasized that there is no compromise on food safety. The city government will uphold the three principles of 'information transparency, rule of law, and highest standard inspections,' continue cooperating with central authorities to investigate the truth, and fully protect children's health and citizens' dietary safety.

### Hsinchu Schools and Government Agencies Halt Use of Problematic Oil Brands

Mayor Kao stated that following the additional batch numbers of problematic oil products released by the central Food and Drug Administration on July 22, the Education Bureau immediately cross-referenced school nutrition lunch records, acceptance documents, and oil batch numbers. It was confirmed that 16 schools in Hsinchu had received and used 41 cans of problematic oil in May.

On the 28th, the city government convened a special meeting with principals from the 16 schools, requiring all schools to immediately initiate parent communication, student health follow-up, information disclosure, and campus emergency measures. All meal records, ingredient acceptance logs, oil batch numbers, and procurement data must be fully preserved for future investigations and to protect the rights of parents and students.

Kao added that the city government will assist parents with information on collective litigation and compensation claims to fully safeguard students' and parents' legal rights. Furthermore, until the truth is clarified, all schools and city government agencies in Hsinchu will completely halt the procurement and use of oil products from the implicated brand, upholding the highest standards for campus food safety.

### Rice (Steamed) Powder Incident: Hsinchu Schools Did Not Use Problematic Products

Regarding the recent rice (steamed) powder food safety incident that drew widespread public attention, Mayor Kao reiterated that after a comprehensive review of all nutrition lunch supply and acceptance records by the Education Bureau, it has been confirmed again that 'Hsinchu City campus nutrition lunches did not use the four items and seven batches of problematic steamed powder products announced by health authorities.'

The city government has repeatedly issued press releases, used social media platforms, and infographics to clarify the facts, urging the public not to spread misinformation that causes unnecessary panic among parents. Kao also called on malicious actors to stop spreading false information that harms Hsinchu's parents, teachers, and students, and causes stress and confusion for frontline nutritionists and kitchen staff.

Kao stated that after receiving notification from Tainan City Government on May 27, the Hsinchu City Government immediately followed food safety incident procedures. On June 3, it coordinated with the Food and Drug Administration to conduct inspections at the manufacturer's factory, sampling four finished products and two raw materials, and immediately required downstream products to be removed from shelves and recalled.

On June 8, after initial testing detected formaldehyde, the city government immediately ordered the halt of sales and sealed the problematic products. After retesting confirmed the results, legal penalties were imposed, and the downstream distribution was traced. The case has now been transferred to prosecutors for investigation. In other words, the city government completed the sealing and removal of problematic products by early June, contradicting claims that action only began in July or that there was a 'seven-week cover-up.'

### Expanded Testing of 28 Rice Noodle Products from 16 Manufacturers, Results to Be Released on July 31

To restore public confidence in Hsinchu rice noodles, the city government conducted expanded testing from July 16 to 27 on 28 products from 16 local rice (steamed) powder manufacturers. All samples were sent to the Food Industry Research Institute on July 28 for formaldehyde testing, with results expected to be announced on July 31 and simultaneously published on the city's food safety portal for public access.

Education Commissioner Lin Li-Sheng noted that all Hsinchu campus nutrition lunches carry the 'Three Certifications and One Q' (3章1Q) label, with a complete traceability system for all ingredients. Beyond ingredient names, acceptance records, procurement dates, and meal logs are fully preserved. Since the incident, school nutritionists and lunch coordinators have conducted batch-by-batch comparisons across all schools, thoroughly verifying any questionable items, leaving no room for ambiguity in campus food safety. The Education Bureau also expressed gratitude to all nutritionists and lunch coordinators for their dedicated efforts in safeguarding campus food safety.

Health Commissioner Chen Hou-Chuan explained that routine rice noodle inspections typically cover sulfur dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, preservatives, microorganisms, and heavy metals, but formaldehyde is not currently a standard test item under central regulations. This incident was discovered during Tainan City's expanded inspection of noodle products. The city government recommends that central authorities review the inspection system and consider adding formaldehyde to the list of self-inspection and risk monitoring items for rice (steamed) powder to further strengthen food safety mechanisms.

### Establishment of 'Hsinchu Rice (Steamed) Powder Zone' to Provide Accurate Consumer Information

Economic Development Commissioner Yen Yi-Chi stated that the city government yesterday convened a seminar with the rice noodle industry association and manufacturers, updating them on the incident's progress and gathering industry feedback. The city committed to promptly releasing test results upon completion and collaborating with the Food Industry Research Institute to develop standardized testing procedures (SOPs) to assist manufacturers in establishing self-management systems. Measures to alleviate manufacturers' burdens are also being considered, and a 'Hsinchu Rice (Steamed) Powder Zone' will be established to publicly display the number of tests, items, and results, providing consumers with accurate information and rebuilding confidence in Hsinchu's rice noodle industry.

Councilor Chen Chi-Yuan stated that there is no compromise on campus food safety. As the central government continues to release additional problematic oil batch numbers, the investigation is ongoing, and more problematic batches may emerge. He urged the city government to adopt the highest precautionary standards, completely halt the use of oil from implicated brands in schools, re-examine the supply chain, reduce food safety risks, and protect children's health.

Councilor Chen Ching-Ling said the city government has already publicly clarified multiple times and conducted comprehensive checks confirming that schools did not use the problematic steamed powder batches. The previous political disputes over this incident should return to fact-based discussions. The real issue now confirmed to have entered schools is the problematic oil with newly announced batch numbers from the central government. The focus should shift to central food safety management and source control mechanisms for oil, rather than continuing to sensationalize the campus steamed powder issue. With 16 schools confirmed to have received problematic oil, the city government should not only continue health follow-ups for affected students but also assist parents with compensation claims and pursue accountability from responsible parties to protect parents' and children's rights.

Mayor Kao emphasized that food safety is a non-negotiable bottom line for the city government. Regarding the rice (steamed) powder and problematic oil incidents, the city government completed inspections, sampling, sealing, removal, recall, and traceability procedures immediately upon notification and has transferred the case to the Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office for investigation. The city has also commissioned the Food Industry Research Institute for professional testing, aiming to clarify the source of formaldehyde in the rice powder, the cause of contamination, and responsibility through dual-track judicial and scientific investigations. The city will swiftly reveal the truth to the public and ensure that those truly responsible are held legally accountable. Until the truth is clear, the city government and its agencies will halt procurement and use of related products from the implicated manufacturer, upholding the highest standards to safeguard campus food safety.