Hsinchu City fines firm NT$3.84 M for formaldehyde in rice flour

The Hsinchu City government announced that four rice‑flour products from Minghao Enterprise Co., Ltd. tested positive for formaldehyde. Under the Food Safety and Health Act the firm was fined NT$3.84 million and ordered to withdraw, recall and stop production of the contaminated items.

Mayor Gao Hong‑an stressed that food safety will not tolerate compromise, noting that the city will expand random testing, make formaldehyde a regular inspection item, and keep all results publicly available. The Health Bureau confirmed that no school meals in the city have used the tainted products and that other local manufacturers tested clean.

The city also held a press conference to update the public on the broader food‑safety investigation, including the recent discovery of formaldehyde in rice‑flour during a nationwide sampling program.