Alert: Formaldehyde Detected in Popular Rice Noodles, Company Fined NT$3.84 Million

The Hsinchu City Government announced that a re-inspection of rice (steamed) powder products manufactured by Ming Hao Enterprise Co., Ltd. was completed yesterday (4th), with all four products still testing positive for formaldehyde. This constitutes a violation of the Food Safety and Hygiene Management Act, resulting in a heavy fine of NT$3.84 million.

The four products found to contain formaldehyde are: Nong Geng Brand Pumpkin Steamed Powder, Nong Geng Brand Large Oat Vermicelli, Nong Geng Brand Yam Steamed Powder, and Feng Cheng Mushroom Vegetarian Steamed Powder.

The Hsinchu City Government stated that Ming Hao Enterprise Co., Ltd. has been confirmed to have violated Article 15, Paragraph 1, Clause 3 of the Food Safety and Hygiene Management Act. Based on Article 44, Paragraph 1 of the same law and its penalty standards, and considering that this is the third violation within one year, along with the company's capital size, nature of violation, product impact, and degree of harm, a severe penalty has been imposed.

In addition to ordering the company to immediately halt manufacturing, recall all products from shelves, and cease sales, the city government has forwarded relevant evidence to prosecutors for investigation. It has also coordinated with the Hsinchu City Education Bureau to conduct a citywide audit of schools, confirming that no educational institutions have purchased or used the non-compliant steamed powder products.

The Hsinchu City Health Bureau previously expanded inspections to 15 local rice (steamed) powder manufacturers, testing a total of 23 products. The results showed that, apart from Ming Hao Enterprise, all other manufacturers' products tested negative for formaldehyde. These inspection results have been published on the Health Bureau's Food Safety Zone website (https://gov.tw/RfU) for public access.