Food poisoning: 2 items of Sanhe Soymilk King in New Taipei City are unhygienic

The New Taipei City Government Health Bureau received a report from the hospital that nine people were suspected of having suffered food poisoning at Sanhe Soy Milk King in Sanchong District. After an inspection, four products were brought back for testing and two were found to not meet hygiene standards. The company has been ordered to correct the problem within a specified period of time and to suspend business. If it fails to correct the problem within the specified period, it will be fined not less than NT$30,000 but not more than NT$150,000 in accordance with Article 33 of the Food Sanitation Management Act.

Food poisoning occurred at Sanhe Soy Milk King in Sanchong District. After an inspection, 4 products were brought back for testing and 2 were found to not meet hygiene standards. The company was ordered to correct the problem within a specified period of time and was required to suspend business. (Photo courtesy of New Taipei City Health Bureau)

Lin Guanzhen, chief of the Food and Drug Administration Division of the Health Bureau, pointed out that on May 13 and 15, they received reports from the Sanchong branch of the Municipal United Hospital regarding a total of 9 people suspected of food poisoning. After interviews, it was found that all 9 people had bought breakfast at Sanhe Soy Milk King in Sanchong District (No. 257, Section 1, Lixing Road, Sanchong District). They went to inspect the store on the first day of receiving the report on the 13th, but the store was not open; they went to inspect again on the 14th and 15th, and randomly brought back 4 products for inspection, including "Tuna Sandwich", "Ham Salad Sandwich", "Lettuce Pancake" and "Salad Dressing".

A food poisoning incident occurred at Sanhe Soy Milk King in Sanchong District. The company was ordered to correct the problem within a specified period of time and was required to suspend business. However, it failed to correct the problem within the specified period. (Photo courtesy of New Taipei City Health Bureau)

The test results showed that 1,100 MPN/g of E. coli was detected in the ham salad sandwich; 21.1 CFU/ml of E. coli was detected in the lettuce bun (negative); the tuna sandwich and salad dressing met the hygiene standards; no Salmonella was detected in the salad dressing.

For products that are found to be non-compliant with hygiene standards, the operator has violated the hygiene standards stipulated in Article 10 of the Food Sanitation Management Act and has been ordered to correct the violation within a specified period of time. If the violation is not corrected within the specified period of time, a fine of not less than NT$30,000 and not more than NT$150,000 shall be imposed in accordance with Article 33 of the same Act. If the violation is committed again within one year, the operator’s business or factory registration license may be revoked.

The Department of Health also calls on food companies to ensure that the raw materials used in the processing and manufacturing of their products comply with the regulations of the Department of Health, and to pay attention to the environmental hygiene of the factory area.