The Central City Health Bureau sampled 24 pieces of dried tofu and found that 2 did not meet the regulations.

The Qingming Festival is approaching, and many people are accustomed to preparing some food for ancestor worship and visiting graves. The Taichung Municipal Government Health Bureau has specially conducted random inspections on seasonal foods in supermarkets, hypermarkets and traditional markets. A total of 24 soy products, 15 red tortoise cakes and grass cakes, and 8 fish were sampled to test for fungicide, preservative and animal drug residues. Two pieces of dried tofu were found to be non-compliant with regulations, and the business has been asked to remove them from the shelves for recycling.

In order to make the color of tofu ingredients look whiter and extend their shelf life, unscrupulous businesses will add hydrogen peroxide to the ingredients. (Photo provided by Taiwan Good News)

The Department of Health pointed out that in this random inspection, two soy products were found to be positive for the preservatives benzoic acid 1.669g/kg and hydrogen peroxide respectively. According to the food hygiene management regulations and standards, the preservative benzoic acid limit for "soy products" shall not exceed 0.6g/kg, and hydrogen peroxide "shall not be detected". The two unqualified products have been required to be removed from the shelves and recalled by stall operators and vegetarian businesses, and fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000 in accordance with the Food Sanitation Management Act.

In order to make soy products look whiter and extend their shelf life, some businesses add hydrogen peroxide to the ingredients. If people consume ingredients containing hydrogen peroxide, some may experience acute gastroenteritis, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Health Bureau Director Huang Meina said that although the safety of soy products cannot be judged from the appearance of the food, it is recommended that the public should choose products that are packaged and fully labeled, and called on manufacturers not to abuse food additives. If the public has any food safety and hygiene-related issues, or consumer doubts, they can call the Taichung City Government Health Bureau, and someone from the Food and Drug Administration Division will answer your questions.