Hsinchu Official's 'Steaming' Solution to Formaldehyde in Tapioca Starch Sparks Outrage

A food safety scandal has emerged in Hsinchu City, Taiwan, concerning tapioca starch produced by Ming Hao Enterprise, which has reportedly tested positive for formaldehyde. The situation escalated dramatically after Hsinchu City Health Bureau Director Chen Hou-chuan suggested that formaldehyde in the tapioca starch could be rendered harmless by simply steaming it, comparing its evaporation to that of sunlight. This explanation has drawn sharp condemnation. City council candidate Chien Kang-ming labeled the statement 'utterly absurd' and accused the city government of fundamentally misunderstanding and misrepresenting food safety principles. He questioned the competence of the health bureau officials, asking what they were thinking. The public is reportedly concerned about consuming toxic tapioca starch, particularly in children's school lunches. Mayor Kao Hung-an held a press conference on July 29th to address public concerns. However, instead of clarifying why the tapioca starch contained formaldehyde or assuring citizens about the safety of their children's meals, the health bureau's response focused on risk mitigation strategies, such as steaming. Chien Kang-ming criticized this approach, pointing out that regulations prohibit the detection of formaldehyde in tapioca starch. He argued that the public wants to know why formaldehyde was detected in the first place, not how to remove it. Chien further questioned the health bureau's logic, noting that if fruits also contain formaldehyde, does that mean the presence of formaldehyde in tapioca starch should be disregarded? He accused the city government of inverting the issue, teaching people how to remove formaldehyde rather than ensuring its absence. The official stance has been widely criticized as a misplacement of priorities and an affront to public safety concerns.

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The health bureau director's statement that formaldehyde in tapioca starch can evaporate and be consumed after steaming is utterly absurd.