One in ten popiah wrappers found to contain industrial bleach rongalite, FDA testing reveals
The Food and Drug Administration launched an inspection targeting the addition of formaldehyde sodium bisulfite (commonly known as "diao bai kuai", or rongalite) to spring roll wrappers (runbing pi). As of March 20, 104 ROC year (2015), according to statistics reported by health bureaus across Taiwan, China, a total of 187 runbing products were sampled, of which 76 completed testing, and 7 products were found to contain formaldehyde, meaning one in ten products failed, while 100 products were still awaiting testing.
Of the 17 counties and cities sampled nationwide, only 4 have results so far: New Taipei City had 3 failures, Hsinchu City had 2 failures, Yilan County had 2 failures, and Hualien was entirely compliant. Products from another 13 counties and cities are still being tested. Some operators admitted to using the illegal additive, and the health bureaus have transferred the cases to police authorities for investigation. For the non-compliant products, the health bureaus of each county and city have ordered operators to immediately remove them from shelves and recall them.
New Taipei City sampling finds 3 products illegally using rongalite
The New Taipei City Health Bureau explained that among the 3 non-compliant products, "runbing pi" from an unlicensed street vendor in Xindian District tested positive for formaldehyde at 40 ppm, and came from Chunyuan Trading Company in Zhonghe. Inspectors immediately rushed to the site and seized "rongalite" on the spot. The operator claimed it was used to make the runbing pi more elastic; besides selling at its own storefront, the products were also supplied to market vendors. The health bureau is working through the night to cross-check downstream operators and has activated the New Taipei City Government Food Safety Joint Inspection Team, with the city criminal investigation brigade handling the case.
In addition, "runbing pi" from Yongtai Noodle Shop in Banqiao District tested positive for formaldehyde at 22 ppm, and "spring roll wrappers" from an unlicensed spring roll wrapper vendor in Banqiao District tested positive for formaldehyde at 16 ppm. Both were self-sold and supplied by that unlicensed spring roll wrapper vendor in Banqiao District, and the entire case is also being handled by the city criminal investigation brigade. There were 2 downstream operators in total; the health bureau went to inspect and found that all products had already been sold out with no stock remaining.
Lin Guanzhen, section chief of the Health Bureau's Food and Drug Administration Division, pointed out that "rongalite" is an industrial bleaching agent, and its use leaves residues of formaldehyde and sulfites. Formaldehyde is toxic and is prohibited in food processing. Eating foods containing rongalite can cause adverse reactions such as allergies and intestinal irritation; in mild cases, dizziness, coughing, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, coma, shock, and even death.
The health bureau also urged the public to carefully choose products with a good reputation and complete packaging, and urged manufacturers and sellers to properly retain purchase and sales receipts and implement self-management. For information on various food additives, the public is welcome to visit the health bureau's official website http://www.health.ntpc.gov.tw/submenu.aspx?uid=543 and check the "Food Additives Section" for reference.
