Taipei childcare center operator 'waited' for inspectors amid expired food probe

Taipei's city government is facing renewed scrutiny after a subsidiary of the Hsia-Li-Szu childcare group was accused of feeding expired food to toddlers. The incident at a Hsia-Li-Szu infant care center has sparked outrage, particularly after a previous scandal involving collective abuse at another branch of the same group led to its closure.

Political commentator Chou Hsuan cited Taipei City Councilor Chien Shu-pei's revelations, suggesting that the city's Social Welfare Department's "surprise inspection" was compromised. The operator of the Hsia-Li-Szu center was reportedly waiting for inspectors at the entrance, leading to suspicions that the government tipped off the facility. This occurred despite the department being asked to conduct an unannounced check during meal times to verify food storage and serving procedures.

Following the inspection, the Social Welfare Department reported no expired ingredients were found. However, Chou Hsuan's account, based on Chien Shu-pei's information, indicated that the inspection did not take place during meal service but after the children had finished eating and were napping. The fact that the center's representative was already present to greet the inspectors has fueled public distrust, with many online commenters questioning the integrity of the "surprise" visit and suggesting internal leaks from the city government.

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Strange, wasn't it supposed to be 'unannounced'?

The Hsia-Li-Szu group has been under fire since earlier this year when allegations of collective abuse surfaced. Parents and cross-party councilors criticized Mayor Chiang Wan-an's administration for a slow response, noting that the center had been reported multiple times since 2023 but investigations were dismissed or required parents to provide their own evidence. The situation was further complicated when the center displayed a recommendation letter and photos from Mayor Chiang as a recruitment tool, leading to accusations that the group felt protected by the mayor's endorsement.

Despite the closure of the "Ren'ai" branch due to abuse allegations and the revocation of its license, parents argue this was merely a superficial measure. They claim that the group's management faced minimal consequences, and another branch, "Daan," continued its admissions meetings while accused teachers allegedly moved to other tutoring centers. Former employees have also come forward with additional allegations about expired ingredients being stored in the center's refrigerator and potentially served to children.

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It seems someone inside the city government tipped them off!