KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — A cheese product from Costco tested positive for ethylene oxide, a potentially harmful chemical on Friday (Aug. 18), according to Kaohsiung City's Department of Health.
Costco has been instructed to initiate recall procedures and destroy all infringing products of the Sonoma Wine and Cheese Country Selection.
Additionally, a fine ranging from NT＄60,000 to NT＄2 billion will be imposed on Costco for violating the "Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation."
A total of 2,120 packages of the Sonoma selection were imported from the United States, with 94 packages already sold, five damaged and discarded, and 2,021 currently in stock.
Following a notification from the Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 8, the Kaohsiung City's Department of Health dispatched officials to the Zhonghua and Dashun store for inspections and sample collection. The department subsequently requested Costco to notify all its branches in Taiwan to remove the item.
The probe revealed a product with an expiration date of October 19, 2023, containing 0.2mg/kg of ethylene oxide. The infringing product will be confiscated and disposed.
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