NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Bafang Dumpling (八方雲集) announced Thursday (Sept. 26) that it has already terminated franchise agreements with stores that fail to comply with headquarters' standard operating procedures.
This decision follows allegations from a former employee about unsanitary practices at one of its locations.
The ex-employee accused the store of using buckets meant for recyclables to store hot and sour soup (酸辣湯) and selling potstickers (鍋貼) scraped of burnt parts. Furthermore, the employee claimed the store used steel basins, intended for soaking rags, to hold food sold to customers.
The Department of Health, New Taipei City Government (新北市衛生局), inspected the store Monday. Inspectors found staff handling ingredients with gloves and distinguishing between gloves for cleaning and food contact. However, they noted personal items were not stored separately, and uncovered food items posed a risk of cross-contamination.
The health department ordered the store to prevent cross-contamination and properly clean containers. They warned that failure to correct these issues could result in fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$200 million under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation (食品安全衛生管理法).