Prosecutors on Tuesday applied to detain two researchers working for a company that produced chili powder containing the carcinogenic dye Sudan III, saying they were aware of the health risks before shipping the product.
The Yunlin County Public Health Bureau last month found 18 parts per billion of the banned industrial dye in a red chili powder produced by Chiseng Hong Ltd (濟生) as part of a four-in-one seasoning sold exclusively at PX Mart.
Prosecutors on Monday questioned nine Chiseng employees and searched the company headquarters and factories, the Yunlin District Prosecutors’ Office said.
Photo courtesy of the Yunlin District Prosecutors’ Office
Quality control personnel at the company’s Douliou City (斗六) factory had sent a sample of the original chili powder to SGS Taiwan for testing, which discovered traces of Sudan III, the office said.
A company researcher surnamed Kuo (郭) informed the head of the factory’s research division, also surnamed Kuo, of the report, it said.
However, to keep production on track, the two allegedly falsified the SGS report and proceeded to ship the four-in-one seasoning to PX Mart locations nationwide, the office said.
Both employees were aware that Sudan III is considered a class 3 carcinogen and is banned for use in food products, it added.
As the two are suspected of committing a serious crime and pose a risk of collusion or tampering with evidence, prosecutors applied with the court to detain the suspects incommunicado.
Five other suspects in the case were released on bail ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$1.5 million, the office said, adding that it would continue to trace the origin of the tainted materials to ensure it is kept off the shelves.
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