I-Mei frozen warehouse found by Taoyuan Health Bureau to contain 1,703 expired products

(Updated 17:18) The Taoyuan Department of Public Health issued a press release stating that it had found I-Mei expired products involving false labeling. Upstream and Downstream reporters sought verification from I-Mei, and I-Mei said it would issue a solemn statement refuting the Taoyuan City Department of Public Health's claims. The statement has been added at the end of this article. Below are the full text of the Department of Public Health press release and the full text of the I-Mei statement. Afterward, I-Mei accepted an interview with Upstream and Downstream reporters to explain; please click here to read.

Text / Taoyuan City Department of Public Health

On the evening of yesterday (the 2nd), the Taoyuan City Government Department of Public Health, in coordination with an inspection by the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, found in the freezer of the "I-Mei Foods Co., Ltd. Nankan Plant" the soft-serve ingredient supplied to I-Mei stores, "Chocolate Soft-Serve Milk Frost," with a manufacturing date of June 29, 2015 (Republic of China year 104) (product label: shelf life 10 days, please refrigerate at 2-5°C), but at the same time also found a total of 192 packages labeled "valid until 2015.7.13, 2015.7.16 and 2015.7.17," suspected of being future-dated food, an act that may already involve false labeling.

In addition, during the inspection it was also found that I-Mei stored various expired foods in the freezer, including: I-Mei Imperial Gift New Year Dishes (valid date: 2006.1.18) 64 boxes, Casserole Big Fish Head (valid date: 2005.12.31 and 2006.2.7) 231 boxes, Premium Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (valid date: 2006.2.6 and 2006.2.7) 211 boxes, Fresh Mushroom Stewed Lamb Chops (valid date: 2008.1.11) 133 pieces, and I-Mei Roast Duck and Chicken Duo Rice Cake (valid period etc. 2013.1.24) 146 boxes, etc., totaling 29 items and 1,703 products, all of which have also been sealed.

The Department of Public Health stated that food businesses may not label food with a future invalid shelf life. Violators, in accordance with Article 28 of the "Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation," shall be fined in accordance with Article 45 of the same Act in the amount of NT$40,000 to NT$4,000,000; nor may expired food be stored. If discovered, in accordance with Article 15, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 8 of the Food Safety and Sanitation Act, a fine shall be imposed in accordance with Article 44 of the same Act in the amount of no less than NT$60,000 and no more than NT$200,000,000.

The Department of Public Health stated that in addition to requiring I-Mei to provide an explanation regarding this case, it has also conducted sampling inspections and checks of the expiration dates of the 29 products in this case sold on the market, in order to protect public safety. The Department of Public Health also called on businesses to implement self-management and fulfill their social responsibilities so as not to violate the law; and reminded the public that if they discover businesses altering and selling non-compliant products, they can dial the 0800-285-000 reporting hotline to jointly supervise food safety.

Full Text of the I-Mei Statement