Ming Hao Enterprise Fails Re-Inspection, Faces Heavy Penalties: Mayor Kao Calls for Continued Investigation and Legal Action

Regarding the food safety incident involving Ming Hao Enterprise Co., Ltd., the Hsinchu City Government immediately initiated a cross-unit special task force upon receiving notification from another county. In accordance with the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act, the city conducted inspections, sampling, product removal from shelves, sealing, recalls, and case referrals. The city continues to expand the scope of inspections and track product distribution, with the entire case being handled legally and ongoing.

Since food testing, re-inspection, administrative procedures, and judicial investigations must follow legal protocols, the city government adopts a batch-by-batch inspection and item-by-item announcement approach. Once test results are confirmed, they are immediately made public to prevent unverified information from causing social panic or affecting law-abiding businesses.

Mayor Kao Hung-an stated that the re-inspection results announced yesterday (4th) represent the latest findings from the continuous investigation of the same case, not a new or separate food safety incident. These updates are part of the city's ongoing efforts to track and disclose progress. The city immediately releases new results as they become available, aiming for full transparency—not concealment or delay. The city emphasizes that the 69-day period was not inaction, but a period of continuous investigation, testing, and legal processing.

The four products whose test results were announced yesterday were identified precisely because the city persistently pursued investigations and submitted samples for testing. Without continuous tracking, no new results would have emerged. Regularly updating the public on case progress demonstrates the city's commitment to food safety oversight and information transparency.

The Health Bureau explained that all products confirmed to be problematic have been ordered to cease sales, be removed from shelves, and recalled, with ongoing monitoring of distribution and follow-up actions. Any new test results will be legally updated immediately, and necessary measures taken—under no circumstances will problematic products be allowed to remain on the market.

Ming Hao Enterprise has been placed under special investigation, referred to prosecutors, and ordered to halt manufacturing and sales. All its products have been fully removed from shelves and recalled. In addition to recalling non-compliant products, all other products have been proactively withdrawn from the market as a precaution. The Health Bureau will continue supervising the company’s downstream recall efforts. Concealment of inventory or submission of false records during inspections will result in fines of between NT$30,000 and NT$3 million under Article 47 of the Food Safety Act.

The city government clarified that Ming Hao Enterprise’s violations do not represent all steamed powder producers in Hsinchu. Many local businesses operate legally and have long established brand reputations. The city has a duty to hold violators accountable while also protecting the integrity of the entire industry from being tarnished by the actions of a single company.

The city urges that food safety incidents must be handled through legal procedures, transparency, and risk management—not by spreading partial information that causes unnecessary panic. The city will continue to handle each case based on scientific testing and legal processes and welcomes public oversight. Any food found to contain illegal additives will be dealt with strictly and without compromise. At the same time, the city hopes the public refrains from using incomplete information to mislead consumers. The responsible approach is to let test results and scientific evidence speak—not political rhetoric.