The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled 115 tainted dried tofu products containing possible carcinogens. On Friday, the FDA ordered more than 40,000 tons of flavored dried tofu products suspected to be contaminated with dimethyl yellow, a dye linked to cancer in animals. This is the third time in four months that Taiwan has been hit by a food safety scandal.
Earlier on Thursday, the FDA said sauce packages in instant noodles produced by the Wei Lih Food Industrial Co. might also be contaminated with the dye. This illegal additive had been used in a soybean emulsifier produced by Chien Hsin Enterprise to enhance the color of dried bean curd.
The FDA has warned any manufacturer that has used ingredients from Chien Hsin to recall their products by Saturday or risk a maximum fine of NT$200 million (US$6.3 million).