Hsinchu City Recalls Formaldehyde-Laced Rice Noodles Amid Expiration Date Controversy

New竹市 (Hsinchu City) authorities announced the recall of four types of "Nong Geng Pai" brand rice noodles produced by Ming Hao Enterprise due to the presence of formaldehyde. However, a discrepancy in expiration dates has sparked public concern and questions about the city's food safety oversight.

While the city's health bureau stated that some of the recalled products have expiration dates extending to May 2029, online searches reveal that the "Nong Geng Pai" brand typically has a two-year shelf life. This has led netizens to question whether the manufacturer is mislabeling products or if the city's food safety inspections are inadequate.

The health bureau reported that 4740 packages of the affected products were manufactured, with 867 already recalled. The specific items include "Nong Geng Pai" Zhuoshui Rice Noodles with expiration dates of January 5, 2028, and February 1, 2029; "Fengcheng" Mushroom and Shallot Rice Noodles with expiration dates of May 25, 2027, and March 15, 2027; and "Nong Geng Pai" Hsinchu Rice Noodles (200g) with expiration dates of April 1, 2029, and May 5, 2029. The "Hsinchu Rice Noodles" also have an expiration date of April 1, 2029.

Netizens are demanding clarity from both the city government and the manufacturer regarding the manufacturing dates and the apparent discrepancy in expiration dates. They argue that such inconsistencies amount to deceiving consumers and undermine trust in the city's food safety protocols.