Letian Bakery's natural yeast old dough starter advertising was deemed misleading and the health bureau required improvements.
Text / Taipei City Department of Health
Regarding news reports that "Lotte Bread House" advertises its products as made with natural yeast, while the bread actually uses added commercial yeast, an investigation found that Lotte Bread House has a total of 16 stores in Taipei City. The Taipei City Department of Health inspected 2 of its stores, the Shilin Zhongzheng store and the Taipower Building store, and found that the store sign advertisement said "house-made natural yeast," and that multiple breads displayed on the shelves were labeled with "house-cultured natural yeast old dough starter," while some breads were labeled "low-sugar yeast" and "high-sugar-tolerant yeast." It was further found that the central kitchen is located at 4-5F, No. 45, Fuxing Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City. After referral to the New Taipei City Government Department of Health, the inspection result replied that the factory's food hygiene met the regulations.
Yeast cannot be produced by artificial chemical synthesis; there is no difference between natural yeast and artificial yeast
On October 30, 2013 (ROC year 102), the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued letter interpretation FDA Shi Zi No. 1029002947 on the difference and definition of "natural yeast" and "artificial yeast": "Because yeast is a microorganism that naturally exists in nature and cannot be artificially chemically synthesized or manufactured, yeast should not be distinguished as natural or artificial."
Regarding the Lotte Bread House store sign claiming "house-cultured natural yeast old dough starter," which is likely to cause misunderstanding, the on-site inspection result found that the food hygiene still met the regulations, and although more than 40 breads were labeled with text such as "house-cultured natural yeast old dough starter," there were no other advertising graphics. In addition, the bread prices ranged from 25 yuan to 75 yuan, in line with market prices. As some text on the store signs and bread boards is likely to cause misunderstanding, the Taipei City Department of Health has required the operator to make appropriate corrections to the text on all store signs and bread boards within 1 month to avoid consumer disputes.
The Taipei City Government Department of Health calls on bread operators to note that yeast has no natural or artificial distinction, and that product promotion or labeling should not deliberately mislead, and should comply with food-related regulations.
If the public has food safety and hygiene questions or consumer doubts, they may call the Taipei Citizen Hotline: 1999 (people from other counties or cities please dial 02-27208889) extension 7079. The above inspection results can be checked on the Department of Health website http://www.health.gov.tw/ for related information.