The Taichung Health Bureau yesterday stated that an investigation into several manufacturers of duck blood confirmed to be contaminated with metallic biotoxins indicated that major chain restaurants such as Tripod King, Wulao and Spicy Fans are supplied by these manufacturers. The health bureau explained that the duck blood has been confirmed to contain metallic bio-toxins that are not suitable for consumption.
Duck blood and chicken blood are common ingredients used in Taiwanese hot pot soups and are often condensed with rice into a cake or jelly-like consistency.
The Taichung District Prosecutors Office along with the Taichung Health Bureau conducted an investigation into New Taipei City-based Shuang Peng Foods’ facilities in Taichung’s Wu Jih District and discovered a large drum containing chicken blood and duck blood meant for human consumption. Inspectors found approximately nine metric tons of pre-sealed chicken blood, 36,780 kilograms of partly sealed containers and 746 bags of spicy-flavor blood soup. All of the blood identified as contaminated was seized by officials.
Shuang Peng Foods manufacturers chicken, duck and pig blood products and currently has a 70-per cent national market share.
Taichung Health Bureau Deputy Director Tsai Shu-feng stated that inspectors from the Taichung District Prosecutors Office identified four firms in the Taichung area as having used contaminated blood products. In addition to the supplier in Taichung’s Wu Jih District, a Spicy Fans location had 5 kilograms of blood in storage, while the other two were out of stock.
Ahead of Chinese New Year, the city’s health authorities have stepped up inspections on traditional holiday food products.