TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Authorities in Taipei and New Taipei City banned the use of chili and curry powders in school lunches on Monday (Nov. 4) after health units discovered "Sudan dyes" in tainted chili powders. Officials from the Taipei City Government Department of Education (台北市教育局) and New Taipei City Education Department (新北市教育局) announced the ban effective immediately through Jan. 20, 2025.
The Taipei City Government Department of Education has conducted a thorough investigation through the Ministry of Education's (MOE, 教育部) campus food registration platform. They confirmed the suppliers and batch numbers of curry powders used in school lunches and collaborated with the health departments on Monday to intensify inspections of illegal curry powders.
Officials stated they have increased penalties in lunch contracts, noting that suppliers accumulating 50 points through violations may face contract termination and a 10% increase in major point fines, with each major point incurring a fine of NT$2,200.
Schools must monitor the "Non-Compliant Sudan Dyes Section" on the Food and Drug Administration's homepage to avoid purchasing or using products from disclosed "violating operators" and implement autonomous management of school lunches.
The New Taipei City Education Department confirmed that schools in the city have not used curry powders containing illegal Sudan dyes and have instructed all schools in October 2024 to immediately cease using products from the implicated supplier.
New Taipei City has activated a food safety response mechanism, suspending the use of chili and curry powders in school lunches until Jan. 20, 2025, to ensure the safety of school meals. This proactive approach underscores the commitment to maintaining a safe dining environment for students.